Rupiah Construction 𝗟imited MD lauds Kewabi Basketball Association, Highlands Regional Basketball Championship

Tonny Kondo, a local businessman from Riwi village in the Ialibu-Pangia District of Southern Highlands Province, has praised the executives of the Kewabi Basketball Association (KBA) and the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) for delivering two successful events from 23-25 October 2026.

The Kewabi Basketball Association staged its grand final games on Sunday, October 25th, at Riwi village basketball courts, which ran concurrently with the Highlands Regional Basketball Championship finals.

Before the finals, Rupiah Construction Limited Managing Director, Tonny Kondo, presented full jersey sets to the Kewabi Basketball Association men’s and women’s teams, and also sponsored the competition with cash prizes. 

“The Kewabi Basketball Association grand final is an initiative I took to keep the youths together, disciplined, and busy when engaged in sporting activities,” Kondo said.  

“We’ve sponsored trophies and cash prizes to make sure there's motivation in playing for their respective teams.” 

Kondo explained that over 30 teams from the eastern part of Southern Highlands Province converged at Ialibu’s Riwi village to compete for the top honors. 

“Teams throughout the 34 council wards of Kewabi and Epari/Koare have participated in the competition,” he said. 

“It will be an annual competition, and we will surely develop something much bigger to attract national basketball events in Riwi village again.” 

He mentioned that the competition attracted a good number of sponsors across the highlands region, who brought their teams to participate.

Mr. Kondo added that his support for the teams aims to keep young people engaged in sports and away from criminal activities, including stealing, alcohol consumption, smoking drugs, and other bad habits. 

“The main objective is to keep our youths busy with sporting activities so that they do not get involved in other activities, like drinking alcohol and smoking drugs,” he said. 

"The Kewabi teams performed well in this tournament, so it was great. Thank you to our president, Neomi Lope, for organizing our team.” 

Kewabi Basketball Association President Neomi Lope sincerely thanked Mr. Kondo and Rupiah Construction Limited for supporting the teams in the 2026 season. 

In addition, Kondo commended the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) for choosing Riwi village to host the Highlands Regional Basketball Championship.

“I think hosting the Highlands Regional Basketball Championship in Riwi village was impactful, where many local talents exposed their skills on such a big stage,” he said.  

“The BFPNG, under President David Peter, used the slogan ‘Go Rural, Go Global’ to promote basketball and make fair representation, which seems to be a workable strategy. 

“Generally, hosting such basketball events in Riwi village is massive for the locals and surrounding communities. 

“People from different parts of the highlands came and enjoyed the environment and lifestyle of the Kewabi people in the eastern part of Ialibu. They are calm and peaceful people.”

Kondo said the athletes enjoyed their stay in Riwi: “The feedback was overwhelming and positive, with some teams not wanting to go, but they left. 

“Riwi village has rules which were practiced for the last twenty-plus years - no stealing, gambling, alcohol consumption, or swearing. The locals have adopted that tradition to show respect to the visitors. 

“This is the second time we have hosted a bigger basketball event, and we are used to taking care of the players with respect.” 

Riwi village is located near the famous Riwi falls, which has the tourism potential to attract tourists and visitors alike. The peaceful Riwi village looks forward to hosting future national basketball events.