Basketball Federation gives fair opportunity to rural talents to shine in championship
The much anticipated 2024 All-Stars Championship which ended on Sunday in Goroka, Eastern Highlands is one of the key events for Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea.
A flair of entertainment and energy was on display at the YC Center and Baptist Church Oval since the start of tournament on Thursday.
BFPNG president David Peter said the national championship showcased some of the talented players across all regions for the first time.
"We started with the 3x3 games before the 5x5 competition. We've got about 25 teams that are participating in this tournament and they're from most of the parts of PNG," Peter told NBC Online.
"Some came as far as Alotau and others came as far as Kikori.
"It's very important that we have to go around in the country, [to] identify the best talents.
"Though we don't have facilities in the Highlands or in other parts of PNG, but we really want to give everyone an opportunity for them to come and showcase their talents"
Host's Goroka, through the district development authority presented K20,000 towards the championship.
Major sponsor Kumul Mineral Holdings Limited also pumped in K157,000 to support the event as BFPNG looks to identify potential prospects.
The major basketball event in the Eastern Highlands provincial capital will serve as a selection platform for the national team in preparation for 2025 events including the Mini Pacific Games in Palau.
President Peter said hosting the championships away from Port Moresby would give fair opportunity to all players to be selected into the squad.
"There's a 3x3 tournaments coming up in Singapore as well as Palau for the mini Pacific Games," he said of the future international competitions.
"There's also a 5x5 in October, that's hopefully in Solomon Islands and then we've got two other international events coming up as well.
"So the championship for us is to prepare for the international events that are coming up for the country next year and in 2026."