BFPNG set to roll out “Basketball 4 Good” Program

The Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) is preparing to roll out the “Basketball 4 Good” Program this year in accordance with the federation’s annual plan.  

Basketball 4 Good has various programs, including Hoops 4 Health and Hoops 4 Equality, which have been running across multiple years. The federation began rolling out these specific outreach clinics in 2017 and has continued to deliver them annually since.

These programs offer fun, healthy, and safe activities for everyone, covering School Clinics, Twilight Basketball, and grassroots Pikinini Hoops sessions.

Since its inception in 2017, the basketball initiatives have been rolled out in the National Capital District, Lae, Madang, Goroka, Mt Hagen, and Alotau, with possible expansion to other centers.  

NCD's FIBA Foundation Youth Leader and Basketball 4 Good coach Simon Wae explained what the program does to impact the lives of youths in schools, suburbs, and communities. 

“The Basketball 4 Good program is about targeting young individuals in the communities to identify the problems and address them, including gender-based violence, gender equality, drug abuse, and other social issues,” he said. 

“After identifying those issues, we use basketball as a tool to deliver positive messages and try to change the mindset of the youth, especially young boys who are engaging in illegal activities.

“We will run a six-week program targeting the schools from primary to secondary. The main objective is to promote gender equality and inclusivity in the schools, suburbs, and community level.” 

Wae mentioned that once the federation aligned its plans, the officers would visit the schools, suburbs, and communities in Port Moresby to deliver the annual program.

Beyond the capital city, similar programs will be rolled out in Lae, Goroka, Mount Hagen, and Alotau, with funding support coming from FIBA through the Basketball Federation of Papua New.

BFPNG has released some funding to the officers on the ground to deliver the Basketball 4 Good program this year:

• Cathy Araea: Alotau, Milne Bay Province

• Simon Wae & Nape Waka: Port Moresby, NCD

• Hennah Kuwimb: Mt Hagen, Western Highlands Province

• Margaret Mebel: Lae, Morobe Province

• Michaelyne Ham: Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province

The Basketball 4 Good program is a special project run by the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea. It uses basketball to teach youth about health and life skills. The program brings clinics to schools and communities across PNG.