U18s train for Oceania champs

By ISAAC LIRI
THE training camp for the PNG Under-18 men’s and women’s basketball teams has already begun as they prepare for the Federation of International Basketball Associations (FIBA) Oceania Championships from Dec 4-11 in Suva, Fiji.
The teams made up of athletes from across the country started training at the Taurama Aquatic Centre last week with head coach Joel Khalu and went through some screening with the High Performance Sport medical team.
Khalu said the teams would be in camp for the next five weeks before they depart for Fiji.
All members of the team are required to attend sessions, with allowances provided for those from outside NCD.
“It’s not easy to coordinate training sessions when you have a squad featuring athletes from all over the country, but we’ll do our best to make sure everyone, including those shadow-reserve players, get the chance to participate,” Khalu said.
He said that their sessions would not only focus on the Fiji championship but also the long term as some might end up making the senior team.
“If we can teach them good training habits now, they’ll have a much better chance of earning selection in senior PNG sides.”
Khalu, who is also the executive officer of the Basketball Federation of PNG, said that they were seeking sponsorship for the two U18 teams as well for their trip to Fiji.
“If there are any businesses in the country looking for an investment opportunity through sport, these two teams will represent with passion and pride, and if all goes to plan, hopefully they’ll be returning to PNG with an Oceania championships medal around their necks,” he said.
U18 men: Anderson Hewe, Brenneth Morris, Conillus Muri, Esau Willie (Horo), Ivan Tabua, James Karulaka, Liam Wright, Moses Kairi, Nuganama Vere, Ravini Mark. Shadow players: Douglas Pirika, Freddy Dickson, Lucas Kawage, Mekere Tete, Patrick Solomon, Zebulon Wamu; U18 women: Betinah Dobunaba, Deborah Solomon, Denienne Bray, Donna Aisi, Jennifer Haro, Margaret Kevin, Millene Taule, Normalisa Dobunaba, Sabatinah Henry, Tabitha Karulaka. Shadow players: Avia Kake, Erika Amos, Jane Avea, McDallyn Passingan, Stella Tepra, Svetlana Arthur, Valerie Maikai.