More than 100 children attend two-day mini basketball tourney

MORE than 100 children within Madang town and nearby villages attended a two-day mini basketball tournament hosted by the Madang Town Basketball Association last week with support from the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea.
Federation Hoops for Health coordinator Jordon Sere held sessions on basic skills as well as upskilling referees, bench officials and coaches from April 12-15 before running a tournament over the weekend.
“The programme targeted kids between the ages of eight and 17 with the aim to teach basic basketball skills and drills while advocating for healthy living and children’s welfare,” he told The National.
“Our goal was to update referees, bench officials and coaches.
“The rules of the game have change in the last few years while the players’ style of play has lifted.
“The programme covered a workshop for referees and bench officials on the first day with (Basketball Technical Commission Mamose coordinator) Charles Morola.
“We had coaching on the second day and skill and drill sessions over the next two days.
“We ended the event with an Under-15 and U17 tournament on Saturday and Sunday with teams coming from the town and outside villages.”
Sere said Madang president Jonathan Ormi and his executives helped ensure a successful event in hosting the tourney.
“They will select a strong team from the tournament to send to the national U15 tournament in June,” he said,
The federation acknowledged TeamUp and the International Basketball Foundation for their continued support.