Diro’s passion for basketball nurturing talents

Sports

VEITU Diro is one of the pioneers of Papua New Guinea basketball but she is not done yet, staying on the sidelines with support for the country’s cause in the promotion and development of the sport.
Diro had served as captain and coach of the national basketball team in numerous international tournaments.
She also captained the national netball team and though she’s already retired from any official capacity, Diro is still the same passionate, noble and dedicated citizen — teaching and mentoring the country’s future players.
“What keeps me going is seeing kids excel,” said Diro, who started a long basketball trail for PNG back in the 1960s.
“Teaching is my passion so I can never walk away.
“I am a teacher — it’s is my passion.
“My satisfaction is teaching kids and seeing them grow and develop.”
Diro graduated from Rabaul High School before taking an education course in Port Moresby.
The rest was history as she went on to carve her path for PNG, representing the country in basketball and netball in numerous international events, including gold medal runs in the prestigious Pacific Games.
She was also the first PNG player to play abroad, particularly in Townsville. Diro retired from playing in 2001, but she had already transitioned to coaching long before calling it a day on the courts.
As early as the 1970s, Diro already started handling the playbook and drawing board for Hohola Demonstration School.
Since then, Diro — who also held roles in the Basketball Federation of PNG (BFPNG) — has been coaching, mostly girls and boys.
With the help of her husband, Brigadier-General (retired) Ted Diro, she has built her camp at home to host kids and teens every once in a while aside from her regular coaching role.
Her camp includes a river to swim in, a grass court and outdoor gyms for junior development while cooking food for the participants.
Grassroots kids have always been the centerpiece in Diro’s vision, which remains true until now if PNG is to aim for continued sporting development.
“I went through the experience,” she said.
“When I came in, because of what I had already done with grassroots and junior basketball, my vision was to run competitions among young people.
“They are the players of tomorrow.
“We have to start from the bottom.”
BFPNG president Karo Lelai credited Diro as one of her mentors who pushed her to take a leadership role after her playing career.
“Veitu was one of my first female mentors with Emma Waiwai and Auvita Rapilla,” she said. “She has always been the epitome of a female leader carving out the way forward.
“It is Veitu who encouraged me and put me on the leadership path on and off the court.
“With Ted, they continue to play a guiding role for my children and me.
“And I continue to value their knowledge and desire to always contribute to nation-building.”
Diro’s dedication and determination to help the sport she loves has influenced generations of PNG players to succeed in the international arena.
With her work focused on junior development, PNG basketball’s foundation appears secure under her guidance. – Fiba