Lelai highlights diversity in basketball

THE Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) held its annual general meeting last month to discuss their plans for 2022 and review the past year.
BFPNG president Karo Lelai highlighted the growing diversity of their members with more than 30 per cent of the board comprising female leaders.
“We are extremely proud of the growth in diversity among our basketball stakeholders in the country,” she said.
“It’s something we take pride in, considering that one of Fiba’s (Fédération Internationale de Basketball) pillars is women in basketball.
“We are not talking only of players or coaches, but officials and leaders as well. We will continue to explore options to promote more diversity to have more voices and opinions about the growth of the sport.”
The meeting took place on June 30 with representatives of more than nine affiliates attending the event which symbolised the growing unity of the sport in the country.
“We are trying to have a more centralised and unified approach in terms of governing the sport, with the help of the local associations,” Lelai said. – fiba
“We are trying to help each other in any way we can by sharing ideas, suggestions and solutions to problems in the country.” – fiba
The female board members who attended the meeting – which is the highest number of women on the board – were Lelai, M. Hagen City Basketball League president Esther Nokulu, Alotau Basketball president Gela Lucas, Port Moresby Women’s Basketball League president Susan Kulukulu, Enga Basketball’s Alomes Kyakas, Kikori Basketball’s Ella Dodobai and Kerema Basketball’s Debbie Hae.
BFPNG executive officer Nick Daroa said he was thrilled with the trend.
“It was a great meeting for everybody involved, everyone was focused, participating, and interacting pretty well,” he said.
“We are excited for the future of basketball in PNG from the grassroots to the international level.” – fiba