Daroa exits BFPNG

AFTER seven years as president and two as executive officer, the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG)’s Nick Daroa finished in an official capacity with the federation last month.
“Nick has been a stalwart of the game in PNG for several years,” Fiba Oceania president Burton Shipley said.
“He has helped bring international events and build the foundations of the Basketball for Good programme.
“BFPNG has grown from strength to strength under his leadership.”
Daroa started his journey with BFPNG in 2012 when he was elected as president of the federation.
But his history with basketball stretches well before this, as he shared that he was the team manager of the Under-18 national teams that travelled to New Zealand and Guam in 2006 and 2008 and the Arafura Games in 2009.
“I have given my blood, sweat and tears for the federation for the last nine years and every single drop was worth it,” Daroa said.
Since 2012, basketball has grown in leaps and bounds in the country, with BFPNG hosting the basketball competition during the 2015 Pacific Games, hosting and winning the first Fiba Melanesia Cup for men and women, along with hosting the U15 Oceania Championships in 2018 and an U17 skills challenge in 2020 despite the challenges of the pandemic.
“We were proud to host international competitions of that level in the country, it was what we needed at the time to further promote the game in the PNG,” Daroa said.
But when asked what he was most proud of during his time with BFPNG, Daroa said Basketball for Good was a programme that had made a huge difference for many lives and his own.
“The introduction of Basketball for Good by Fiba’s Foundation, International Basketball Federation and Team Up in 2016 is a great initiative involving males and females of all ages participating to enjoy and learn the values of discipline, respect, teamwork and must be taken as a value add to nation-building in terms of positive human character and lifestyle development,” he said.
The Basketball for Good strategy introduced various programmes to the PNG communities, including Twilight Basketball, Hoops for Health, Mum’s a Hero and Pikinini Hoops.
The programmes focus on different social and health messaging while promoting the sport.
Since 2015, BFPNG’s participation numbers have grown by more than 30,000 participants, a remarkable achievement during Daroa’s time with the federation.
Joel Khalu, the executive officer during the launch of the Basketball for Good programmes under the leadership of Daroa as president, credited his leadership.
“My work with BFPNG was very enlightening and fulfilling, especially starting the foundation for the Basketball for Good programmes with Daroa,” he said.
“It grew into something special and exceeded all of our expectations.
“We did not realise how much of a positive impact it would make in the communities and we are extremely proud of all the things Basketball for Good has achieved since it started and how it has grown to what it is today.”
These efforts paid off when BFPNG was recognised by Fiba and received third place in the Basketball for Good award in 2019 and 2021 when awarded the SP Sports Awards community sports initiative and photo of the year.
“We are grateful for all the contributions Daroa has done, especially laying the foundation for our Basketball for Good programmes,” BFPNG president Karo Lelai said.
“We are committed to building that foundation and continuing our work with our communities.
“Basketball for Good programmes are important to BFPNG’s goal of creating positive social impact with the people involved in basketball.”
Daroa’s hard work over the years means BFPNG enters the post-pandemic period in a strong position, with grassroots programmes expanding to more communities and national teams attending Fiba events regularly.
“I acknowledge the tremendous support from all programme partners, administrators, officials, players, parents, supporters, sponsors and everyone involved in this journey,” Daroa said. – Fiba