Gold Coast (Australia) - Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea's first National Basketball Development Officer (NBDO), Ronnie Mea was awarded the Patricia Ramsay Award in recognition of his administrative skills and overall contribution to the growth of basketball in Papua New Guinea.

Mea, the current Regional Manager of the Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation (PNGSF) attended the 2019 FIBA Oceania Assembly on 4 May at the Voco Hotel unaware of the honor about to be given to him.

"It was a pleasant surprise and an honor to be given this award, it's a real honor. Looking back to the country that I came from and how we started some of the work that we've done, the fruits of our labor have come through with the help of FIBA," Mea said with pride.

"I want to thank all the people we worked with at FIBA but to also praise current administration which has done a great job in the last five years in helping the game grow in our country," he added.

FIBA Oceania Executive Director David Crocker lauded Mea for his contribution to the sport in the region.

"Ronnie has been one of the pillars of basketball in Papua New Guinea. In the last three competitions held in Port Moresby (2015 Pacific Games, 2017 FIBA Melanesia Cup, 2018 FIBA U15 Oceania Championship) he helped us in organizing the logistics of the competitions made sure we delivered successful events," said Crocker.

"He deserves this recognition because of his work, contribution, and passion for his country and basketball," he added.

Mea was the first NBDO when the program was launched in 1999. The Papua New Guinea native answered the call when BFPNG Executive Robert Kopaol approached him for the position.

Photo: Mea accepting the Patricia Ramsay Award

"In 1999, FIBA Oceania started the NBDO program under Steve Smith and I was already part of Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea as a volunteer. Robert Kapaol who was our President then invited me to take a full-time role as the NBDO and I accepted it. I worked as NBDO from 1999 until 2014 but was on voluntary work in the last three years because of my position with the PNGSF," said Mea.

Mea shared that working as the NBDO had its share of challenges but his passion for basketball pushed him to be dedicated to the influence the growth of the sport in his country.

"It was a challenge to grow basketball but it was very fulfilling at the same time. The unfortunate part of the early years is having no financial support from sponsors and the government. We only get funding from the Olympic Solidarity through the Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee. We had to rely on our own pockets to run programs and workshops," Mea said.

"But basketball has had a hugely positive effect on Papua New Guinea. Because of basketball, we have been able to connect various settlements which have helped us grow the community of basketball in our country," he added.

Patricia Ramsay is the wife of FIBA Oceania Founder Al Ramsay. In her honor, FIBA Oceania established the Patricia Ramsay Award to recognize and honor exceptional personalities in the administrative field.

"This awards means so much to me and my family. I dedicate this to my departed wife, who passed away six months ago. I am sad to not share it with her but I believe that she is proud of everything we've accomplished so thank you for the honor FIBA!" Mea emotionally shared.

FIBA