Not only is the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) National Championships for men and women a stage for players and coaches to shine, it’s also a platform for referees and score bench officials to advance their skills as well.

BFPNG identified its contingent of referees and score bench officials prior to the tournament, with twenty-five members being selected from throughout the country.

Before games commenced on Tuesday, the group undertook a three-hour, pre-tournament workshop on Monday. The education session was delivered under the guidance of FIBA Oceania Development Manager Annie La Fleur, who has travelled to Port Moresby from the Gold Coast for the championships.

“Making sure we develop referees and officials is very important to FIBA Oceania,” La Fleur said.

“There’s a pathway in place to FIBA international events for those who commit and do the work.”

“We’re very excited about this current group of BFPNG referees and score bench officials who have been doing a wonderful job at the championships so far this week.”

“For them it’s a dress rehearsal for what can be expected when the FIBA Melanesia Basketball Cup is hosted here in Port Moresby this coming September.”

“The stakes will be a lot higher at that level, so we’re watching and evaluating everybody involved at the moment, to see who will be able to make that jump to the international standard.”

“I’m very happy with what I’ve been seeing,” La Fleur added.

In recognition of his outstanding officiating, Port Moresby based referee Luigie John has received the call-up to attend the under seventeen FIBA Oceania Championships being held next week in Guam.

“Luigie has been on the FIBA refereeing radar for a while now,” La Fleur added.

“He did well at the under eighteen FIBA Oceania Championships held in Fiji last December and that performance earned him a follow-up invitation for this years under seventeen Guam-based event.”

“He’s still got a lot of work in front of him, but we know he and all of the referees here in Papua New Guinea are on the right track and that’s something FIBA is really thrilled about.”

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