FIBA Oceania endorses elite comp

FEDERATION International Basketball Association (FIBA) Oceania has commended the Papua New Guinea Men’s Basketball League as an initiative to lift the country’s basketball standard.
FIBA special projects manager Judy Smith said PNG needed an elite competition to improve its standard.
“I believe that PNG is ready for a semi-professional league,” said Smith yesterday.
 She said pro leagues helped the “circle of interest” by increasing interest and spectators attendance at games and attracting sponsorship.
“The media coverage will increase basketball’s exposure and this will result in more kids (talents) being exposed to the game.
“The other positive effects will be that this will see a concentration of the country’s best players taking to the courts as well as better officiating and coaching.
“That can lead to greater sponsorship investment in the game… so one thing leads to the next, and the pro league is a crucial part of that circle,” she said.
“PNG has outstanding athletes and an elite league will allow these players the chance to play under competition conditions each week.”

“This has to improve the standard of play and the standard of coaching and officiating” Smith replied. 
“I hope the pro league is really successful”.
Meanwhile the PNG Men’s Basketball League inaugural season bounce off with premiers on Tuesday, 30 October at 6.30pm at the Sir John Guise Indoor complex.
The champions will walk away with substantial amount of money, which has yet to be confirmed.
PMBL is still seeking generous sponsorship for naming rights of the competition as well two other franchise Saints and Exodus.
Four franchise Moni Plus Tamaraws, Propest Control Chariots, Saints and Exodus believed to have meet all requirements including settling the K5000 affiliation fee, player/ team management contract agreement.
This is a very exciting competition as the best of the best in Port Moresby will be show cased every Tuesday and Thursday night.
As one of the agreement from PMBL Board, franchises will benefit 80 percent from the gate taking to support them to manage their entities to semi pro standard.