Photo from the Post Courier

PORT MORESBY (Papua New Guinea) - Mrs. Veitu Diro, CBE is one of the pioneers of Papua New Guinea basketball but she is not done yet, staying on the sidelines with all-out support for the country’s cause in the further promotion and development of the nation hoops movements as a whole.

Diro had served as captain and coach of the Papua New Guinea women’s basketball in numerous international tournaments.

She also captained the national netball team and though she’s already retired from any official capacity, Diro is still the same passionate, noble, and dedicated PNG hooper – teaching and mentoring the country’s future standouts.

“What keeps me going is seeing the kids excel. Teaching is my passion so I can never walk away. I am a teacher. It is my passion,” said Diro, who started a long basketball trail for PNG back in the 60s.

“My satisfaction is teaching kids and seeing them grow up and develop.”

Diro graduated from Rabaul High School before taking an education course in Port Moresby.

The rest was history as the once-girl dreamer went on to carve her path for PNG, representing the country in both basketball and netball events of numerous international events including gold medal runs in the prestigious Pacific Games.

Photo: Veitu Diro, CBE (left)

She was also the first PNG player to play abroad, particularly in Townsville.

Diro officially retired from playing in 2001 but she had already transitioned to coaching long before she retired her jerseys and sneaker through the PNG rafters.

As early as the 1970s, Diro already started handling the playbook and drawing board for Hohola Demonstration School.

Since then, Diro, who also played official roles for the Basketball Federation of PNG is still coaching, mostly juniors players in the girls and boys division.

With the help of her husband, Brigadier General (Rtd) Chief Ted Diro, CGL, CBE, OSL, FAIM; Veitu has built her camp at home to host kids and teens once in a while aside from her regular coaching gig at the Ela beach. Her camp includes a river to swim in, a grass court, and outdoor gyms for the kids’ development while cooking food for them.

The kids from the grassroots level, who are the country’s future not only in basketball, have always been the centerpiece in Diro’s vision – which remains true until now if PNG is to aim for continuous sporting development.

“I went through the experience. When I came in, because of what I had already done with the grassroots and junior level basketball, my vision was to run the competitions amongst young people. They are the players of tomorrow. We have to start from the bottom,” she concluded.

BFPNG President, Karo Lelai credited Diro as one of her mentors and pushed her to take a leadership role post her playing career.

"Lady Veitu was one of my first female mentors with Emma Waiwai and Auvita Rapilla. She has always been the epitome of a female leader carving out the way forward," she shared.

"It is Lady Veitu who encouraged me and literally put me on the leadership path in sport both on and off the court. Together with Sir Ted, they continue to play a guiding role for my children and me. And I continue to value their knowledge and their desire to always contribute to Nation-building," she added.

Diro's dedication and determination to help the sport she loves has influenced generations of PNG players to succeed in the international arena. With her work continuing with the youth, the foundation for PNG's is secure under her guiding presence.

FIBA