Photo: (From left to right) Basketball Federation Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) President Nick Daroa, Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation  (PNGSF) CEO Peter Tsiamalili, FIBA Oceania Executive Director David Crocker and FIBA Chief Operating Officer Markus Studer.

Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea) - FIBA Oceania Executive Director David Crocker and FIBA Chief Operating Officer Markus Studer presided over a series of meetings with several local government organizations in Papua New Guinea to share the positive economic impact of the FIBA U15 Oceania Championship held in Port Moresby from December 4-8, 2018.

Crocker and Studer traveled to the capital of Port Moresby last week and met with Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee Vice President Emma Waiwai and Secretary General Auvita Rapila to deliver the stellar economic performance of the FIBA U15 Oceania Championship.

"It was pleasing to report to the PNG Sports Foundation the positive economic impact of the FIBA Oceania U15 Championship held last year in Port Moresby. The PNG Government made a substantial investment into BFPNG to deliver the event which ensured its success," Crocker said.

"Government investment into international sports events provides a great number of benefits such as the economic stimulation which brought an influx of 6 million kinas to the country."

BFPNG Executive Officer Stephen Damien, BFPNG President Nick Daroa, Australian Deputy High Commissioner Catlin Wilson, David Crocker and Markus Studer.

Crocker also revealed the positive digital presence it brought to the country.

"More than 78,000 people watched the games via live stream which showed PNG in a very positive light with the Taurama sports facility being viewed as world class and also featured 13 million social media impressions in the digital coverage during the event," he said.

Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation CEO Peter Tsamilli received the impact report with praise and stated that the post-event report will be a new review standard for sports events in Papua New Guinea.

"We are delighted to receive the economic impact study. This is something that PNGSF will be impressing on other sports that receive government grants to host events to produce as part of its funding requirements. Thank you BFPNG and FIBA for producing this report," said Tsamili.

The FIBA officials also met with the Australian High Commission in Papua New Guinea to further discuss their partnership through the Pacific Sports Partnership (PSP) which funds several of Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea's (BFPNG) development programs.

Papua New Guinea representatives of the 2019 Pacific Games with FIBA officials

"It was a productive meeting with the Deputy High Commissioner Ms. Catlin Wilson because of her pleasant reception of BFPNG's work in the communities. The commission is now open to adding funding for elite sports in the next round of support through PSP," said Crocker.

He stressed the commitment of FIBA to help potential countries that want to host future FIBA events.

"We want national federations to know that hosting a FIBA competition is a great way of promoting and developing basketball," he said. "FIBA events can draw financial success and establish or improve connections with the private and government sector."

FIBA