UPNG Basketball Association Ready for Season 2026

The University of Papua New Guinea Basketball Association (UPNGBA) enters its sixth season, with eight teams confirming their participation this year.

Of the eight participating teams, four schools are within the main campus at Waigani, while the other four participating teams are from outside the main campus.

Teams within the UPNG main campus include the School of Business & Public Policy (SBPP Eagles), the School of Law (SoL City Counsels), the School of Natural & Physical Sciences (SNPS Atoms), and the School of Humanities & Social Sciences (SHSS Scorpions).

The teams outside the main campus include the School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS Medics), Port Moresby Business College (PomBisColl Bucks), Institute of Business Studies University (IBSU Hammers), and Pacific Adventist University (PAU Lakers).

“The number of teams participating this year, I am happy to announce that my executives and I have officially expanded our competition for this season,” UPNGBA's newly elected President, Mr. Solomon Luman, said.

“Last year, we hosted 7 teams in our competition for the first time, and now we are hosting 8 teams for the first time in our association's history.” 

President Luman added: “The main aim of the UPNGBA is to give UPNG students a chance to experience quality basketball and expose our school (UPNG) and its students to the sport.

“However, over the years, we’ve become the go-to tournament for tertiary institutions that want to play basketball, and we take pride in that.

“Our overall aim is to promote basketball amongst youths and our peers, and share the wonderful game of basketball. 

“We want to give our association members something else to do instead of just studying; something to help deal with stress and pressure as an outlet for such. 

“We just want everyone to enjoy the sport of basketball, meet, and network with like-minded people. That's our aim.” 

Mr. Luman further explained that they had challenges last season as expected, but they ended the season on a positive note, acknowledging the outgoing executives.  

“Last year was a very successful season, despite facing bumps and curves along the road,” he said. 

“However, we hosted a successful season, having 7 teams participating, so I give credit to the former executives under the leadership of President James Baida and his team.

“We had about 14 rounds and 2 weeks of finals, which were successful, with IBSU Hammers winning the male division and SOL City Counsels claiming the female division.”

Moreover, UPNGBA's 2026 newly elected executives comprise President Solomon Luman (a 3rd year Banking & Finance student), Vice President Agnes Urupua (a 3rd year Law student), Secretary Tinut Kapigeno (a 4th year Economics student), and Treasurer Jemimah Emma (a 3rd year Accounting student).

The competition also appointed three new executives for this year, including the Head Coordinators of the Match, Fundraising, and Events Committees. Head of Match Committee Atira Basil, Head of the Fundraising Committee Nialapan Karol, while the Events Committee Head has yet to be elected.

Additionally, President Luman mentioned that basketball is a sport everyone loves and appreciates. 

“I think it’s a great pastime and a distraction from the stress from school and any other hardships,” Luman said. 

“You meet a lot of great people, and to me, that’s the importance of the sport in the UPNG campus. 

“The court is so small compared to a rugby league or soccer field that you end up just becoming close to people you see on that court.

“I have met many friends I consider brothers and sisters, and the older ones have mentored me, and I’ve mentored the younger ones.

“Basketball is a great gateway to network and build relationships amongst peers, and it also gives a little fun to a stressful uni life; that would be the reason I see basketball as helpful on the campus.”