HONIARA (Solomon Islands) - Half Vanuatuan, half Solomon Islander, Frank Karae is no stranger to Honiara. But this time, he arrived not as a visitor, but as a competitor on an international level. Wearing the Vanuatu jersey, Karae's first game for Vanuatu's return to FIBA competition was emotional and historic.
"It's a new experience for all of us, and it's definitely eye-opening," he said. "I really appreciate all the boys coming together and supporting each other… even though through this loss we were feeling down, we all came together and we said, 'The next one.'"
Karae's hopes for the team are strong. Even though their first loss was disheartening, it won’t stop them from pushing themselves and working their way to the top.
"We just kept on trying and kept on pushing," he said. "Everyone just helped hold each other's head high, so I think that's what we're gonna keep doing moving forward."
For Vanuatu, the 2025 FIBA Melanesian Cup is more than just a basketball tournament. It's a dream that they finally have a chance to achieve after two decades absent from FIBA competitions. It's taken a lot of work to get Vanuatu back on the international basketball stage, and Karae and his teammates are eternally grateful for the support of the Vanuatu community.
"I definitely want to thank all the sponsors," he said. "It's been really great to see corporations believing in us, and that they understand that we have a dream. If we want to pursue basketball, people in Vanuatu can do that."
As the final buzzer sounded on their first appearance in over twenty years, Vanuatu may not have walked away with a win in their first game, but they walked away with something just as powerful: belief.
The FIBA Melanesian Cup is being hosted by the Solomon Islands Basketball Federations in Honiara from October 13 to 18. The event is supported by the National Sports Council, with the two teams qualifying for the Pacific Games 2027 in Tahiti. All games are livestreamed via the FIBA YouTube Channel courtesy of TTV Solomons Islands.
FIBA