Special Olympics PNG receive boost ahead of international event

The Special Olympics Papua New Guinea (SOPNG) received timely support from Brian Bell Group ahead of the Special Olympics Asia Pacific 3x3 Basketball Tournament in Manila, Philippines.

Brian Bell Group donated SOPNG with T-shirts, water bottles, sports shorts, and water coolers worth K5,000. The items were delivered to SOPNG during the Walk for Inclusion on October 24th at Sir John Guise Stadium.

Colgate-Palmolive PNG also supported the organization that looks after the special needs athletes, further motivating them for their upcoming international event in the “Pearl of the Orient Seas.”

The Special Olympics PNG released a statement on its Facebook page, sincerely thanking the Brian Bell Group and Colgate-Palmolive for their support.

“A big shout-out to Brian Bell Group for donating sports T-shirts to our athletes, who are proudly wearing them as they gear up to represent PNG at the upcoming Special Olympics Asia Pacific 3x3 Basketball Tournament in Manila, Philippines, next month,” it read. 

“Brian Bell donated a worth of K5000 items as their in-kind sponsorship to Special Olympics Papua New Guinea’s recent Walk for Inclusion 2026 held on October 24 at Sir John Guise Stadium.

“Thank you to Colgate-Palmolive PNG for the bright smiles, bright futures kits to our athletes, promoting healthy smiles, and good oral hygiene.”

The SOPNG 3x3 basketball coach Eunice Wanjumoe confirmed that 9 athletes would travel to the Philippines to participate in the international event. 

“A total of nine athletes (five males and four females) will represent Special Olympics Papua New Guinea at the competition,” she said. 

“The athletes commenced training in early October, with sessions held three times a week at the Taurama Aquatic and Indoor Centre.”

Wanjumoe explained that most athletes have piqued interest in the 3x3 basketball format and are slowly learning to master the basics.

“As most of the athletes are new to 3x3 basketball, our training focused on developing their understanding of the sport and building fundamental basketball skills,” she said.

“As training progressed, most athletes demonstrated improvement and adapted well to the game, while one or two are still working to develop and strengthen their skills.”

She added that SOPNG will make its debut at the tournament, which excites the athletes to prove their worth against some of the top athletes in the region.

“This competition marks a significant milestone as it is the first time Special Olympics Asia Pacific will host a 3x3 Basketball competition,” Wanjumoe said.

“It will also be the first opportunity for our athletes to compete internationally in this particular sport.

“For most of them, this will be their first international sporting competition, with only one athlete having previously represented PNG in badminton at the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Badminton competition in Malaysia last year.”

SOPNG thanked Eunice Wanjumoe, Jordan Sere from PNG Basketball Federation, and Stanley for committing their time to train the athletes and prepare them for the upcoming event.

Special Olympics PNG provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

PC: Special Olympics PNG