Kerema basketball to renew affiliation with BFPNG

By JACK AMI
THE Kerema Basketball Association says it will renew its affiliation with the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG), thanks to local businessman Alex Hearo’s payment of K500 as the registration fee.
Association president Aisi Aua thanked Hearo, who owns Elore Lodge, for supporting the development of basketball in Kerema, Gulf.
“Now that we are affiliated, we qualify for the BFPNG annual general meeting in Port Moresby on April 25,” he said.
Hearo said he was confident in Aua’s management of the association because the president had been accountable over the years.
“I have assisted sports in the province without proper accountability and reports submitted to me on how the funds were used,” he said.
“This is why my company has closed the doors on other sports. I received eight basketball balls and a 2020 calendar from BFPNG president and acting chief executive Nick Daroa for this season.”
Aua said to develop talent in schools, clinics needed to be held regularly in Kerema.
“We have so much talent here but what we need is skills training to develop our youngsters,” he said.
“Our students play in the senior division of the town competition and it has given them the confidence to develop themselves.”
Aua said Gulf had dominated the sport in the country through the Elavos, Muris and Parapas.
“We are proud of their achievements,” he said.
“These are household names in basketball but they should visit us and impart their knowledge to the many young basketballers in Kerema.
“Out of the many unknown talent we have, one or two of them may go on to represent Papua New Guinea.”