Port Moresby (PAPUA NEW GUINEA) – Basketball for Good is paving a new path for females in Papua New Guinea with Mum’s A Hero program.

Complimenting two FIBA strategic priorities, empowering national federations and women in basketball, the Mum’s a Hero Program has been designed to support women and children by providing a safe environment that encourages learning and active participation within the community.

Participation rates in sport and recreation are lower for women compared to men in Papua New Guinea (PNG) with women also susceptible to mental health conditions and other anti-social behaviour throughout the communities.  Mums a Hero will roll out activities in partnership with professional services providers across six communities in the nation’s capital of Port Moresby.

“We acknowledge the need for women’s only programs in PNG and we are thrilled to offer this program in PNG with the support of various community partners,” Basketball Federation of PNG (BFPNG) Executive Officer, Miskus Lapan said. 

We are fortunate in PNG to have many wonderful women contributing to our sport and to be in a position to offer female specific programs for the community is something we are immensely proud of, and passionate about.

 Mum’s a Hero will be coordinated by the newly appoint BFPNG Health Female Engagement Coordinator, De’Lisha Koime who is eager to promote physical activity for women in an inclusive manner that promotes diversity and social inclusion.

“We have an opportunity to empower women in PNG through basketball on and off the court which is something I’m looking forward to contributing to,” Ms Koime said. 

“It is vital that we recognise women have diverse backgrounds and face different rechallenges based on their experiences, social status as well as customs and beliefs.”

Mum’s a Hero in Papua New Guinea is supported by the Australian Government through Team Up, and delivered by the Basketball Federation of PNG in conjunction with FIBA.