Gulf team compete at National Souths B’ball League

A SOUTHS basketball team in Kikori has for the first time competed in the National Souths Basketball League, thanks to the government’s Connect PNG programme that linked Kikori with the upper highlands.
The Gulf team travelled using the new 700 route from Kikori to Lae to compete in the 17th edition of the basketball tournament.
Team manager Gibson Mikai said they wanted their youths to receive the exposure playing outside of the province.
He said they took the long journey to attend the tournament, even though it was costly considering the high PMV fares, because they wanted their youths to follow their dreams in the code.
“Our teams consist of 30 players in both the men’s and women’s divisions. Our dream is to showcase the talents of the young men and women,” Mikai said.
“The teams have done well. The men’s team they are in the top ladder of Pool B, because they performed well and I am proud of their achievement.
“The challenges that we have faced was the journey and the cost that we shouldered in getting us here.
“We did fundraisings but it was not enough to cover all the cost. Through assistance from other stakeholders, we were able to get here. It is not easy for us.” Mikai said each player paid K200 registration with the governor assisting them with K5,000 for food and accommodation. VI Holdings, a local firm assisted them with K2,000 to cover the transportation costs.
The three-day journey started last Monday in Kikori on to Southern Highlands, Western Highlands, Jiwaka, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands and ended in Lae, Morobe on Wednesday.