State backs basketball

By JACK AMI
THE national government through the Kumul Consolidated Holdings Ltd gave K400,000 to the Basketball Federation of PNG to stage the inaugural Fiba Under-15 Oceania Basketball Championship at the Taurama Aquatic and Indoor Centre next week.
This is the first regional U15 championship in the Oceania region.
The funding was made possible through the efforts of Deputy Prime Minister Charles Abel, an avid basketballer himself, as the biggest ever support received by basketball.
Abel, who is also the Minister for National Planning, and Sports Vice Minister Wesley Raminai presented a cheque K400, 000 to BFPNG president Nick Daroa and witnessed by PNG Sports Foundation executive director Peter Tsamalili Jr, Fiba Oceania competition manager Amanda Jenkins including PNG players and team officials in Port Moresby yesterday.
“The National Government, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and Public Enterprises and State investments Minister William Duma should be thanked for the release of the funds to support basketball,” Abel said.
Abel said the funding would help with the hosting of the championship.
Abel also accepted the BFPNG request for him to be patron of the national body which was announced yesterday.
Abel said he hoped the BFPNG would continue to develop basketball, focusing not just in the major centres but in smaller centres like Alotau and other parts of the country. “This is not about Port Moresby or NCD but fair representation should be allowed from the smaller centres for a true PNG team,” Abel said.
Abel encouraged the PNG boys and girls teams learn from taking on the region’s top sides in Australians and New Zealand.
Raminai said the U15s were essentailly the next representatives for the country in future major events like the Pacific Games and Oceania senior championships.
Raminai encouraged the players to be grateful for being picked and to know that they were not just playing for their associations or clubs but for the country.
“You are privileged to be here. You must make the most of this opportunity and play well and represent the country with pride,” Raminai said.
“You must get the little things right and work out getting better with your skills and to never stop working hard to do well at this championships and in the future.
“The onus is on you players to focus on the games and play your roles.”
President Daroa thanked the Government, PM O’Neill, Abel and Duma as well as KCHL management.
Daroa said the support would help junior development in the country.
He said the funding would go to paying for accommodation and meals with all the teams to be accommodated at the Holiday Inn and Shady Rest hotels.
Daroa said the funding would also be used for their junior development programme and national championships.