The Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) successfully launched its new Twilight Basketball initiative this week at the Taurama Aquatic & Indoor Centre.
Twilight Basketball is a brand new Hoops for Health (H4H) project, which is being delivered under the national federation’s community engagement strategy.
BFPNG executive officer Joel Khalu said the program was a dynamic way for people to get involved in the sport.
“Twilight Program is specifically designed to get our PNG youths engaged in a positive environment via their active participation in basketball.
“Along with playing games, throughout each session we’ll also be promoting the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices, educating participants on items like nutrition and exercise.
“We also want to reinforce the importance and value of education and encouraging kids to attend school.
“Overall, Twilight Basketball will give participants an opportunity to spend the duration of their Friday evenings in a constructive environment, where the emphasis is placed on fun, friendship and fitness,” said Khalu.
Khalu said the program has been made possible through the Federation of International Basketball (FIBA) support and funding from the Australian Government’s Pacific Sports Partnership program.
He added the program is free and open to all ages.
“The Federation is also hopeful that the Twilight Basketball program will bring a decrease in crime levels, resulting in a positive outcome for the community.
“Reducing crime is also a massive part of this project and by the end of the program, hopefully we will have seen a drop in rates on Friday evenings,” said Khalu.