PORT MORESBY (Papua New Guinea) - Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) launched their Mum's A Hero program in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (AROB) this October and was an instant hit in the region.

Mum's A Hero is a program under BFPNG to bring women and the youth together from different communities. It is also used as an “ice breaker” to discuss Papua New Guinea Sports Foundation's (PNGSF) AROB referendum awareness drive in the province.

"We partnered with PNGSF to launch our highly popular Mum's A Hero program in AROB to massive success, The attendance was more than we expected but we were happy to accommodate everybody" shared BFPNG Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Damien.

The program in Buka Island attracted over 50 women and girls from the surrounding villages and communities with members of the AROB local government representatives present during the event.

"Mums A Hero was particularly a major hit especially of course with the women and children. With the success of the launch, the authorities have requested that the program is run every month in conjunction with the PNGSF's referendum awareness workshops," said Damien.

Mum's A Hero is a Women's empowerment program under the Basketball For Good banner which is supported by the Australian Aid initiative in cooperation with FIBA.

Mum's A Hero Coordinator Sue Tarasomo shared the warm reception of the community to the program and plans to introduce the program to more provinces before the year ends.

"Sport is a great adhesive in bringing the women and girls together from different communities. said Tarasomo. "Mum's A Hero is already launched in the National Capital District, the Central Province, East New Britain Province and now the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. We plan on introducing the program to Morobe Province before the end of the year."

FIBA Oceania's Basketball For Good Manager, Peter Topp expressed his elation with the launch of the program in AROB.

"BFPNG has successfully launched not only Hoops For Health but Mum's A Hero in different provinces in Papua New Guinea this year and the reception to the programs has been very successful," said Topp.

"We are working hard in assisting BFPNG to continue using basketball as a tool to spread educational awareness to social issues and promote the game," he added.

FIBA