Muri carrying on legacy

Sports

By ISAAC LIRI
For 17-year-old Cornelius Muri, basketball runs deep in his blood coming from a family that lives and breathes the game.
Standing at a height of 180cm, Muri was probably the youngest player to make the men’s national team when he debuted as a 16-year-old at last year’s Melanesian Cup under coach Joel Khalu, and mentor and grandfather Moi Muri – a former national representative.
Recalling his debut, Muri said he was proud to be part of the men’s team that created history by winning the inaugural event against the likes of New Caledonia and Fiji in front of their home fans.
After a successful year with the Southern Flames in the Papua New Guinea Men’s Basketball League, he has made the 20-man train-on squad for next year’s Pacific Games in Samoa.
“I was surprised when I heard that I was named in the squad,” Muri said.
“Last year, I was a shadow player but I made my debut with the national team.
“This year, I worked extra hard to earn it but I have to maintain my fitness and skills to make the final team next year.
“For now, I am just keeping myself fit by taking part in community games until the squad start training.”
Making the national team is not a new thing for the Muri family of Kaugere in Port Moresby, as their legacy continues to thrive with the youngster coming up the ranks.
A rising star in the sport, the basketball fraternity has seen Muri’s game improve since he started playing at the age of eight.
At the age of nine, he played in the Capital Basketball League with the Saints, then with Exodus when he was 14.
He now plays for PMBL champions Southern Flames.
Muri paid tribute to his grandfather — the women’s national team coach — for inspiring him to continue growing in the sport.
“I haven’t seen him play but he has pushed me to be where I am now,” he said.
Muri also takes after his uncles and elite basketballers Apia and Purari.
Apia has quite a lot to say about his nephew.
“Cornelius is young and he still has a long way to go, but the way he’s progressing looks like he will achieve greater things,” Apia said.
“He has been getting a lot of help from us. He is destined to do greater things for basketball in the country.”