Karo Lelai, Secretary and Board member of the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) and board member of the National Olympic Committee of PNG paid a visit to the House of Basketball. She gave a progress report to FIBA's Foundation on the common project and had meetings with FIBA’s development department and FIBA’s 3x3 department.

In May 2016, the International Basketball Foundation entered into a partnership with FIBA Oceania with the aim to support BFPNG. This partnership will see IBF investment support the development of healthier and more inclusive communities through sport in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

Since May, BFPNG has made considerable progress in several key areas such as strategic planning, increase of affiliated associations and community engagement and increased participation. In June they organised two basketball clinics in Port Moresby and Alotou, with several hundred kids as young as four, five and six years old taking part.

Over half the population of PNG are between the ages of 0-24 years (54%) and once they hit adulthood, one in four of them are considered obese. This partnership seeks to engage the youth of PNG in regular basketball activities and educate them on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle. By reaching kids whilst they are young, BFPNG hopes to give them a new lease on life.

For more information please contact BFPNG Executive Officer Joel Khalu on khalujoel@gmail.com or 7326 3023.