BFPNG preparing for All-Stars tourney

The Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) is preparing to host its All-Stars tournament, slated for 26-28 February 2027 in Port Moresby. 

Before the all-stars event, BFPNG will stage its Open Men’s and Women’s National Trials from November 24-27, 2026, in the nation’s capital. 

BFPNG President David Peter explained the upcoming All-Stars tournament, which serves as a selection platform for the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti.

“The federation is now embarking on the all-stars concept from the regional competitions to develop and enhance a clear rural to provincial, regional, and national pathways for player selections,” President Peter said.  

“The associations, local communities, local level governments (LLGs), and districts will run the rural competitions.

“The provincial competitions will be run by the provincial sports offices and associations within the province through their representatives.

“The regional championships will be run by regional executives led by the vice presidents of the four regions in the proposed constitution to be discussed and presented in the next AGM. 

“The national competitions, including the all-stars and trials, will be conducted by BFPNG in partnership with the PNG Olympic Committee, PNG Sports Foundation, and FIBA.” 

According to the president, the coaches and referees associations will provide technical support, and all referees will be adequately certified and registered.

The national governing body already sent invitations to the respective champions of the recently concluded regional championships to participate in the all-stars tournament.

“We are inviting the champions of both men’s and women's teams to participate in the all-stars from the regional championships,” Mr Peter clarified. 

“Associations have been restricted because we assume they have selected their best teams or players to participate in the recent regional championships.”

The president added that since the U-18 and 3x3 tournaments were not held during the regional championships, BFPNG made an exception for associations to select their players from these two categories. 

“Since the junior competitions, including the U-18 and 3x3 games, were not featured in most of our regional competitions, and as such, this invitation is further extended to associations running these competitions,” Mr. Peter said. 

“The selection for the seniors will mainly come from the national trials to be conducted this month, and the selections for the juniors and 3x3 will come from the all-stars event. 

“However, if there are exceptionally good players in the all-stars, we will consider them for our national team as we want the cream of the crop to represent our country.”