Gulf club sets standard at B’ball tourney

THE National Souths Basketball League (NSBL) board has thanked Kikori Souths for taking part in the tournament for the first time since their establishment seven years ago.
NSBL patron Johnny Yawari told The National that the club were able to field teams in the annual tournament despite struggling to take part in the competition and make the finals of their divisions.
“They have set a very good example for the Gulf province, other provinces and the country as a whole,” Yawari said.
“If they can do it to travel over, why not other provinces, I believe they can do it too. Distance was not their issue and that’s what we want to see from other provinces as well.
“We want to have a wider community taking part in this competition going forward so we have teams from more provinces as well.
“It’s very interesting, they made their debut in the competition and walked away with the runners-up prize. This competition is here to stay.
“We will come back bigger, stronger and better next year.”
Treasure Paul Pulako added that the team’s participation in this year’s tournament was made possible through the Connect PNG road programme.
“The Connect PNG programme has made it possible for them to travel over and took part in the tournament,” he said.
“The team comprises over 25 personnel. They arrived in Erave, Southern Highlands, then traveled to Mt Hagen and then on to Lae to take part in the tournament for the first time.
“It’s unbelievable their first time in the comp and they made it to the grand final, and they became the runners-up, all were made possible because of the Connect PNG programme. They walked away with K15,000 prize money.”