WINS Commentary Success at FIBA U17 Oceania Championship

GOLD COAST (Australia) – The 2023 FIBA U17 Oceania Championship was successfully held in Port Moresby this year with a local flavour added to livestream commentary on FIBA YouTube.

Aligning with the FIBA Strategy of Empowering National Federations, FIBA teamed up with ABC International Development’s Women in News and Sport (WINS) to provide an opportunity for four local females to commentate and participate in media operations functions at the event.

De’Lisha Koime, Dorcas Tindri, Jamie Haro and Melvinah Rabi all experienced the rush of a FIBA event from behind the livestream microphone and in front of the camera during post-match interviews.

“I was of uncertain of how the outcome would be, but as the days of the championship progressed, I became more confident in what I was doing and I enjoyed every moment of it,” Tindri said.

Travelling from East New Britain Province of Papua New Guinea, Tindri travelled to Port Moresby to further her commentary education at her first ever basketball tournament.

Melvinah and Dorcas commentating at the tournament

“Each game helped me further understand basketball concepts and I guess the technicalities of the sport itself from preparations to the games being played.  Sports is something I have been recently engaged in especially promoting rural activities more so on our local radio broadcast as well as on our social media, so this was the perfect opportunity to refine my skills further.”

With the rise of female participation in sports across the Pacific, Women in Basketball is becoming increasingly popular opportunity for locals to get involved on and off the court.

“Sports media is very male-dominated, but WINS is doing everything it can to make it a more inclusive space,” said Sally Eeles from ABC International Development and Project Manager of WINS.  

“We need to see more women commentating matches, conducting interviews on the sidelines, covering sports events, and writing stories about women in sport.  That will hopefully encourage more girls to take part in basketball and other sports or pursue a role in sports media.  Afterall, you can only aspire to be, what you can see.”

“Women need to start promoting and putting their own kind in the spotlight,” Tindri added.  “Sports that women play in does not get much coverage so it will be up to female reporters to break the barriers, and be seen freely reporting in male dominated sports, without feeling inferior and intimated.”

Port Moresby local, Melvinah Rabi echoed Tindri’s sentiments regarding female participation in sports reporting.

“Women in PNG are talented, but they often face barriers and may feel hesitant to step out of their comfort zones,” Rabi said.  “WINS provides a supportive environment and empowers women to overcome these barriers.  This opportunity also challenged the notion that sports and media are only for men and encourages women to pursue their passions and dreams in these fields.”

“I have always been a sports enthusiast, and basketball is now among my favourites.  The experience at the FIBA U17 Oceania Championship has given me a deep appreciation for the game, and I have enjoyed learning more.” Rabi concluded.

With basketball embedded within the community, FIBA Executive Director – Oceania, Amanda Jenkins said the partnership with WINS is rewarding.

“As a region we are focused on delivering quality events and programs, not just for basketballers, but for communities to be involved,” Jenkins said.  “The role of Women in Basketball is something we strive to nurture and develop in everything we deliver across Oceania, and our partnership with WINS has provided the opportunity to adequately support local women in media.  Having an all-female commentary line-up at the recent FIBA U17 Oceania Championship was a wonderful opportunity to showcase local aspiring female professionals on a global stage.”

“My experience at the FIBA U17 Oceania Championship was incredible,” Rabi said.  “It was my first time participating in such a high-level basketball event, and it gave me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone.  The championship provided a platform for me to showcase my skills and grow as a player.  I am grateful for the experience and look forward to more opportunities like this in the future.”

Next on the horizon is the Pacific Games which will be hosted in the Solomon Islands where another three WINS Alumni are confirmed for basketball media operations. The future is bright for women in sport, namely basketball, across Oceania with WINS and FIBA both dedicated to empowering and inspiring the next generation of female sports media contributors.

“I see my career in media and sport heading in a promising direction.” Rabi confirmed.  “The experience I gained through WINS and the FIBA U17 Oceania Championship has solidified my passion for sports journalism.  I aspire to be a professional journalist, traveling around the world and covering various sports events.  I believe that with dedication and continuous learning, I can achieve my goals and make a significant contribution in the field of media and sport.”

L-R De'Lisha Koime, Jamie Haro, Melvinah Rabi and Dorcas Tindri

## About Women in News and Sport

The Women in News and Sport (WINS) initiative is a training and mentoring program led by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s International Development unit, that provides female journalists in the Pacific and Asia with the tools to carve out a career in the world of sports media.

FIBA