Twelve teams register for annual Souths basketabll league tourney

By SULI SULI
TWELVE teams have registered for the annual National Souths Basketball League tournament which is scheduled to tip off at the Taurama Aquatic and Indoor Centre in Port Moresby on Friday.
Sanctioned by the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea, the league oversees one of the country’s biggest offseason tournaments.
The confirmed teams are Kondo East (Jiwaka), Mixed Mates, Giru Souths (Western Highlands), Giru Epari Kuare Souths, Mendi Menjals, Sumale Souths, Lakers Souths, Usano Sura Souths, KSS Souths (Southern Highlands), Yasuku Hela Souths (Hela), Pombiss and Mayawala Souths (National Capital District). Teams that have shown interest are Port Moresby City Rangers, Goroka Souths and Nipa Souths, according to league president Silas Nicky.
Federation Hoops for Health coordinator Jordan Sere said the tournament draw would be shared on Thursday. The registration deadline is extended to today. “The deadline was Monday as per the tournament guidelines,” he said. “But we are extending it till Wednesday to give more time to teams.
“We want to make it a tournament which includes everyone from the Southern Highlands to be part of our basketball community in Port Moresby and around the country.
“All clubs are required to endorse men’s and women’s teams with a registration fee of K1,000 per side.
“The fees must be paid into the federation’s Bank South Pacific account No.1003502109.
“The tournament will also be used to identify players for the national train-on squads to the upcoming Melanesian Cup in Fiji.”