Kikori eager to grow basketball back home from national championships experience
A gem is sprouting from the 2024 Basketball Championships as Kikori men's team soak in premier experience to revive the code back home.
Team Kikori, representing Gulf province in the all-stars’ tournament is unleashing what looks to be future stars of basketball in PNG.
Gulf has been the home of some of Papua New Guinea's basketball greats, is in line to unearth more talents, that is likely to shine in future.
The team led by prominent PNG junior representative Adam Maikai are showcasing a glimpse of rare basketball prowess, and have quickly become fan favorites in the All-Stars Championship.
From the outskirts of Kikori to Goroka, Maikai, is leading a team that is new to top level competition.
"We're all from the same district (Kikori). We grew up together and also play together," Maikai told NBC Online.
"For most of them it's the first to attend championship so we're hoping to learn some new skills and rules of the FIBA."
Having represented PNG in the under-15 and U17 international competitions, the skipper's experience is guiding the team to greater heights.
He also notes the importance of developing significant life values through basketball.
"I push the team to be better and encourage them to be better ballers with the experience I have," the teenager said.
"Apart from that I also encourage them to stay away from illicit activities and always discipline themselves and be good youths in the community."
The men from Kikori won 2 games and a loss, proceeding to finals playoff.
However, the aspiring team from Gulf fell short to Mt Hagen in the semifinals with a narrow 38-42 loss.
Despite the heartbreaking results, young captain Maikai said competing in such high-level tournament will help them gain valuable experience to grow basketball back home in Kikori.
"This experience learnt will help us a lot to develop the game," the teen sensation said.
"We will go back and start over again to help other players coming up."