By CHARLIE DUMAVI
NATIONAL Souths Basketball League (NSBL) receives K50, 000 funding from the National Gaming Control Board (NGCB) to facilitate its 2023 tournament from April 7 – 8, 2023 in Port Moresby.
Being running for over 10 years, the NSBL was glad to announce the support from NGCB that will again enable them to expand and promote the code of basketball in the country.
NGCB has been the supporter of sports in the country and is glad to once again sponsor NSBL this year.
NGCB Chief Executive Officer Ms. Imelda Argon said, similar to any other sports they sponsor they want the message of gender equality and awareness against violence to be shared during that social event.
“Coming on board and supporting this organization and supporting the sporting code of basketball, it’s an avenue for you all to actually speak on our behalf on matters that concern our nation. One of the things that is always in the media is, women are being affected so I like men to become voice of our women in the country and basketball could be one of that (avenue). As PNG women I kindly ask all of your, when you host that tournament put a bit of branding there and tell our men that women are not our enemy.
We (NGCB) are an organization that is owned by the eight million people of this country and as part of our give back program, we sponsor various programs in the country. We believe that Sport united PNG together. Sport in the country is where you see PNG united. Unity comes in when we gather together in Sports. We’ve sponsored couple of basketball events but to see a province actually set up an event like this is pleasing for us,” Argon said.
NSBL president Saislas Nicky assured NGCB that the competition is all about unity and they will be using it to also make awareness on the issue that is affecting the country.
“This year, out (NSBL) theme is ‘Unity’. We would like to unite everyone from the street to the working class through playing (basketball). This is one thing with NSBL that we have to reach out to unite everyone. A lot of men abuse women and so this is some of the ways that PNG need to open up. It’s not about you and your family, we are trying to unite every one through basketball,” Nicky said.
He added that all women are welcome to take path in this year’s tournament that will be hosted over the Easter Weekend.
He said the tournament is not restricted to certain group of people from a region or a province alone as it is a national event that all interested teams can put in their expression of interested to be part of the annual event with the limited teams up to 20 respectively of male and female to take part.
He said the registration fee is K1000 for both divisions and the winner will walk away with K25, 000 while second runner up grabs K20, 000 and the third runner up settles with K15, 000.
