Prime Minister James Marape has assured the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea that they will get his full support as long as they can prove to him by getting their management organized.
He made his commitment known during the launching of the CRCEG Cup - PNG Amateur Basketball League and the ExxonMobil Cup - Port Moresby Elite Basketball League last evening at the Sir John Guise Stadium Indoor complex in the nation’s capital.
The Theme for the launching was: "Uniting Hearts through Basketball, Transcending Mountains and Seas, Together for a New Journey".
The prime minister highlighted that sport does not evolve around the PNG Chiefs and rugby league or even soccer. Basketball is just another sport and his ready to give his full support.
"Give me good management like rugby league has done. Organized yourself properly and ensure you have a team playing in the Queensland Basketball competition and I will take it from there, and make it happen for us," said Marape.
This is a new transition taken by the Basketball Federation for the development of the sport, in creating pathways and programs for the growth of Basketball in the country.
The main aim of Basketball Federation is to upgrade the standard and level of the sport to a semi- professional competition, with an established Junior pathway system for Basketball to progress into a professional sport.
"If we can start off with rugby league and now by 2028, we will have our own team taking part in the National Rugby league, what's stopping Basketball players to also go that mile. That's why I would like to encourage you that your government is ready to give you its full support," added the Prime Minister.
The other guest speakers at the launching were representatives from ExxonMobil, General Manager of CRCEG - Sam Jia and representing the Chinese Ambassador was His Excellency Minister Councellor Pang Henzaho.
ExxonMobil has been the major sponsor for the Men's Basketball competition since 2024, which will now be known as the Port Moresby Elite Basketball League. CRCEG is the major sponsor for the PNG Amateur Basketball League.
