PORT MORESBY - Basketball is one of the most popular sports on the planet today, this would not be the case without the tireless work of volunteers and staff worldwide. This is why FIBA is committed to developing the capacity of national federations and its staff members around the world.

As part of this commitment, FIBA invited eight prominent females from basketball federations throughout the pacific to participate in an exciting Women's Empowerment Programme on the Gold Coast in September of last year.

Lelai and Wini during the 2015 FIBA Women's Empowerment Workshop

Two of these women are Karo Lelai (Papua New Guinea) and Lysa Wini (Solomon Islands). Lelai is currently sitting on the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea board as the newly elected vice president and Wini is a member of the Solomon Islands Basketball Federation board as Secretary.

Even after more than a year since the empowerment workshop, both Lelai and Wini have stayed in touch. Wini recently travelled to Port Moresby in order to meet with her colleagues from Athletes Commission and PNG National Olympic Committee. During her visit, Wini stopped by the BFPNG office to catch up with Lelai.

Wini visiting the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea office

The two discussed the success of BFPNG's Hoops for Health (H4H) program. Since the implementation of the H4H program, BFPNG has been active and visible in schools and the community, the free Twilight Basketball sessions have been a huge hit with the people of Port Moresby. The efforts of BFPNG and the H4H program have gone a long way to rejuvenating basketball in Papua New Guinea.

This collaboration and relationship between women from different federations in Oceania is a perfect example of what the women's workshop hoped to achieve. Connecting and empowering women of the region to have a major positive impact on their respective communities and the sport of basketball.

FIBA