UPNG Basketball Association Appoints New Executives

The University of Papua New Guinea Basketball Association (UPNGBA) appointed its new executives for 2025 to steer the sporting association for the premier university in the country. UPNGBA has been part of the registered associations through the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea in the last four years, after forming the association in 2021. 

The competition ( UPNGBA) is an avenue for students to build mutual relationships on and off the courts, learn how to make critical decisions in leadership roles and responsibilities and most importantly, it helps the students to discipline themselves and keep them away from negative peer influences. 

The newly elected executives will be under the leadership of 19-year-old James Baida of Oro and Central Provinces, who is a second-year student studying Public Policy Management. Assisting James is Natasha Andrew, a third-year Public Policy Management student who hails from the Eastern Highlands Province and Jiwaka. Other members of the executives are Secretary Solomon Luman, a second-year Public policy student, and Treasurer Agnes Urupua, a second-year Law student. 

Founding President of UPNGBA Basketball Association Mathatia Stanley said that the competition was all about building mutual relationships and helping students in leadership roles. Stanley extended his heartfelt gratitude to the four young leaders to raise their hands to take up leadership roles. 

“First of all, I would like to congratulate the four young leaders for being elected as our new executives,” Stanley said.

“Despite being in second-year and third of schooling, you all raised your hands firmly to be the leaders of UPNG Basketball Association. 

“I am available if you guys need advice and help. Feel free to approach me.” 

Following the speech of the founding president of UPNG Basketball Association, the newly elected president thanked the founding president and former executives of UPNGBA.  

“Well, I was kind of nervous and I’m still nervous about being voted as president of UPNGBA 2025, but seeing my seniors with words of experience gives me strength to fully accept my position,” Baida said.  

“I look forward to what basketball has for UPNG in 2025 and executives by my side, we’ll do our best with the help of all the ballers in UPNG to make this year a successful basketball year. 

“I would also like to thank Sepu Samson, the outgoing president of UPNGBA. Mr. Samson is more like a mentor and role model to me.” 

The University of Papua New Guinea Basketball Association has grown from strength to strength since 2021, making its first appearance in the National Basketball Championships hosted here in Port Moresby that year. 

They also leave a legacy in the 3x3 basketball format, making it into the grand final in male and female divisions and settling for silver medals. UPNGBA remains the only university in the country with a registered association functioning under the Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea. 

The UPNGBA also hosted the Varsity Games last year, which saw four universities attend the tournament – University of Technology; Pacific Adventist University; IBS University; and hosts UPNG battling for the Varsity Cup - under the leadership of Sepu Samson, where IBSU claimed the championships after defeating UPNG in the decider. 

PC: Wepio Media Agency