PORT MORESBY (Papua New Guinea) – The Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea has appointed Emma Waiwai as President to lead the federation into 2023 and beyond.

Representing Papua New Guinea (PNG) at the 1987 South Pacific Games, Waiwai has been involved in basketball across a variety of roles for over 30 years including her current positions as President of the Women’s Basketball Association and Port Moresby Women’s Basketball League President.

“Basketball has always been my sport of choice since high school,” Waiwai said. “I have always wanted to represent my country and have been fortunate enough to do that.”

In 2006, Waiwai took on a role as a local coach following the end of her playing career and was appointed Assistant Coach for the National Women’s Team in 2014. Waiwai stepped down from this role in 2015 after being appointed the 2015 Pacific Games Chairperson.

“Basketball for me is preparing a person for life after sport,” Waiwai commented. “The skills learnt in the game such as time management, decision making, discipline, team player and self-belief, are skills that a person can use to excel in their career. This is what drives me to push the young children that participate in my local association. Allowing them to develop these skills at an early age is my goal.”

 

Following her appointment as BFPNG President, Waiwai wants to assist PNG basketball elevate to the next level over the coming 10 years. “My aim is to see our teams make the ‘next 20’, in ten years’ time. I also want to promote basketball, so it becomes the sport of choice. Just like athletics, I want to create pathways for our young people to be provided scholarships in USA.

“Being an elite player and seeing the challenges that players have, I have felt that I needed to be part of the decision-making body to see how we can improve the game so that ultimately we become a force in the region.”

The Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) is shaping up for a big year with several key priorities to focus on including.

• Encouraging more children and youth participation
• Assisting associations with relevant technical support in administration, coaching and refereeing
• Additional support to those associations promoting children and youth participation
• Collaborate with local government representatives to support the development of basketball in their province
• Continue with the annual championships for the various age groups coinciding with the FIBA Oceania calendar

Hosting the FIBA Under 17 Oceania Championships in September will also be a key focus point for BFPNG with the best male and female basketballers in the region set to travel to PNG to contest the Championship title.

Outside the world of basketball, newly elected BFPNG President and mother of four, Emma Waiwai has an Electric Engineering Degree from the PNG University of Technology and harbors a strong passion for the development of women within the community.

“Supporting and helping young women find their purpose in life through my involvement with the Central Province Tiare Vavine Pageant,” Waiwai said. “This program is designed to allow young women from the Central Province build their cultural identity and restore the true identity of Central Province, hence restoring the province pride. In collaboration with PNG Women Entrepreneurship Connect (PNGWEC), these young women are provided the necessary entrepreneurship skills to better them, their families and community lives.”

BFPNG program delivery through Basketball for Good, is supported by the Australian Government through Team Up, and delivered by FIBA and its partners including the PNG Olympic Committee, PNG Sports Foundation and Business for Health.

 

#HWHR @FIBA_FOUNDATION @FIBA_OCEANIA