KAVIENG (Papua New Guinea) – Hoops for Health recently travelled to the Kavieng, New Ireland Province to spread the beautiful sport of basketball across the country.  Newly appointed Basketball Papua New Guinea (PNG) Executive Officer, Miskus Eadique Lapan, joined the five-day expedition in his first official Hoops for Health tour.

“Across the four days we taught kids from five years old to 55 years old reaching in excess of 300 participants with technical workshops, officiating courses and of course, on-court basketball programs,” Mr Lapan said.  “We had wonderful support from the local Kavieng Amateur Basketball Association and the PNG Sports Foundation as well as a number of passionate local basketballers.”

Aligning with FIBA’s strategic priority, empowering National Federations, boosting grassroots basketball through Basketball for Good initiatives, Hoops for Health programs in PNG contribute significantly to the success of this strategic priority.

Teaching the skill of basketball is always a highlight and feature of Hoops for Health, with many participants experiencing basic skills like passing, dribbling, shooting hoops and completing lay-ups for the first time.  “I am very interested in becoming a basketball player one day,” one participant, Sharita Motonga (12) said which was a sentiment supported by nine-year-old, Sonipoli Topu (9), “I really want to be a basketball player and play for PNG.”

In a unique experience for the local youth participants, PNG Power Lifting World Championship Pacific Games Gold Medallist, Linda Pulsan heard first hand what it takes to be a professional athlete and how learning the basic skills of your chosen sport and the mental courage to compete is crucial.

“If I, this small-framed woman could lift those weights that weigh much more than my own body weight on the world stage and be awarded a Gold Medal, nothing is impossible, and you can do it too,” Ms Pulsan said.  “When you put your mind, your heart, your focus, your attention, your commitment, and discipline into something worthy in life, you will achieve it.  Success comes at a cost, and that cost is sacrifice but a worthy sacrifice.”

Mr. Lapan commented that the feedback following the Hoops for Health tour was positive with a demand for more programs in the region to provide awareness around local issues where basketball can be used as a tool for communication.

“If we can continue to integrate basketball and social development through our programs, we will be doing a huge service to our community,” Mr. Lapan said.  “During this tour, Kavieng Amateur Basketball Association had the opportunity to showcase their Under 17 talents for the upcoming nationals, upskill their refereeing ranks through exhibition 3x3 matches, generate basketball awareness and integrate with the Basketball Federation of PNG as well as the Australian High Commissioner to PNG, His Excellency Jon Philp and New Ireland Provincial Administrator, Lamila Pawut.”

The Hoops for Health tour was organised in conjunction with the visit to the region by Australian High Commissioner in PNG, His Excellency Jon Philp.  His excellency was greeted with a traditional welcome that set the platform for Hoops for Health activities.

Basketball in PNG is grateful for the ongoing support of the Australian Government through the Australian High Commission. The regional activity demonstrates the capability of BFPNG to work with partners to deliver basketball development as well as create learning around healthy lifestyle choices.

Basketball for Good programs facilitate the FIBA Foundation’s mission to use the power of basketball to initiate positive change.   Basketball for Good in Papua New Guinea is supported by the Australian Government through Team Up, and delivered by FIBA and its partners including the PNG Olympic Committee, PNG Sports Foundation and Business for Health.

FIBA