PM’s Golden Jubilee Oldies Basketball Challenge Bounces off Preseason Opener

The Prime Minister’s Golden Jubilee Oldies Basketball Challenge commenced its preseason yesterday night (May 15) at Sir John Guise Stadium Indoor Complex, which saw five participants consisting of three men’s and two women’s teams, take to the court to stamp their mark and entertain the spectators.

Under the theme ‘Health is Wealth’, which was initiated by Prime Minister James Marape in partnership with the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG), the Golden Jubilee Oldies Basketball competition aims to foster a healthy and active lifestyle. 

Seeing young people, especially those in their early 30s and 40s dying of lifestyle diseases, has compelled Prime Minister James Marape and BFPNG President David Peter to come up with this concept, intending to promote or advocate for active and healthy living through taking part in basketball games.

The Basketball Federation of PNG acknowledges the rising concerns surrounding lifestyle diseases, increasing anti-social behaviors, and low self-esteem. Through this initiative, BFPNG aspires to cultivate healthier individuals and encourage active participation, both in the workforce and in the community. 

President David Peter was impressed with the outcome of the preseason opener, giving a brief update on the competition while acknowledging the Prime Minister’s support and the participating teams for showcasing competitive games.

“The Prime Minister (James Marape) set the agenda for us to organize this competition for people at the age of 40 and above to come and play, so they can live a healthy life and be productive,” Peter stated.

“When people are productive, they contribute meaningfully to the development of the country. So, that’s basically what we want to promote through the game of basketball. 

“So far, we have 32 teams confirming their participation, which is a huge number for such an inaugural competition, and there are some teams showing interest in joining the competition. We’ll play one more preseason game and go into the proper season. 

“This sort of competition will elevate basketball to the next level in terms of participation and the involvement of stakeholders, leaders, and people from different sectors coming together to play basketball. 

“I believe what we want to do in basketball is to support the government’s plan in growing the economy and one of the things we have to do is to address law-and-order issues through basketball as a tool for development, and the Prime Minister coming in to support that segment of basketball through healthy living.”

Mr. Peter revealed that a similar basketball concept would be rolled out to the Highlands and MOMASE regions, including the New Guinea Islands, in the future.

Prime Minister James Marape was delighted to see fathers and mothers enjoying the game of basketball, making known that soccer/football and rugby touch would be introduced to run alongside basketball. 

“It’s a joy to see mothers from Kaugere and Koki playing tonight, as well as the fathers. Playing, loosening up, and running help us to be active and healthy,” Marape stated. 

“Very soon, we will also launch ‘Kicking a Ball’ with soccer and ‘Passing a Ball with Touch’. We want to get all the seniors among us and engage them in basketball, soccer, rugby touch, including other sports.

“We are encouraging the seniors to come out and pick a sport of their liking and participate in it. Basketball has started well, so commendation to president Peter and BFPNG for this brilliant concept.”

Meanwhile, below are the results for yesterday night’s games:

• Jester defeated Lakwa Stingray 41-27 (Men)

• Exodus Legends thumped Next 40+ 27-17 (Women)

• Next 40+ beat Naura 32-22 (Men)

• Waves drew with Southside Naura 20-20 (Women)