Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG)

The Brisbane-born basketballer is eligible to play for PNG through his parents who were both born and raised in East New Britain.

Christian was first picked for PNG at the 2019 South Pacific Games in Samoa but could not take the courts because his citizenship was not approved. After the disappointment of 2019 he said his first goal this time is to get his citizenship approved. Christian is excited to represent his country and help PNG in any way he can to bring the gold home.

The program, which forms part of the National Federation’s Hoops for Health (H4H) community engagement strategy, is designed to achieve the dual objectives of addressing gender-based violence and promoting health and well-being through exercise.

Along with the facilitation of basketball-based physical activity sessions, Mum’s A Hero also sees workshops delivered on gender empowerment and education on the resources available to support women and their families.

Operator of the PNG LNG Project, ExxonMobil PNG Limited, handed over the improved basketball court in February to Juni Primary School.

In partnership with the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG), ExxonMobil PNG initiated a youth empowerment program that incorporates both life-skills training and Olympic values awareness, using basketball as the medium.

Joining Daroa on the new BFPNG Board will be Karo Lelai (Vice President), Noreen Gugumi (Treasurer) and Saskia Ani (Secretary).

Lelai’s transition into the Vice-President role after serving as BFPNG Secretary for the last four years.

Gugumi, an accounting manager, brings a wealth of financial expertise to the Federation as Treasurer, and as a former BFPNG Secretary, Ani also brings previous BFPNG board-level experience.

Daroa said he was thrilled about continuing on for a second term as BFPNG President and was enthusiastic about continuing to help the sport grow.

This will take place tonight at the Twilight Basketball session at the Taurama Aquatic & Indoor Centre.

With the usual on-court basketball action, the Blood Drive team will be setting up four beds to collect blood from 5pm to 9pm this evening.

BFPNG Chief Executive Officer Joel Khalu says that Twilight Basketball provides the perfect platform to help promote the Youth Blood Drive initiative.

 “The Blood Drive event is about more than just giving blood. It is about bringing awareness regarding the importance of maintaining healthy life habits,” says Khalu.

The Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) won the bid to host the Championships after sending an expression of interest for hosting rights of the event back in March of this year.

The BFPNG were notified of the news last Friday that PNG had won the rights to host the Championships.       

FIBA Oceania Executive Director, David Crocker spoke about the recent accomplishments of PNG following the Pacific Games.

“Papua New Guinea is really gathering momentum after hosting a very successful event in 2015.