BASKETBALL is reaching new heights by going rural to develop the game, young talents and increase its following across the 22 provinces.
This year’s SP Sports Awards has recognised four talented people in basketball among 33 finalists in three different categories –
junior male athlete of year, community initiative and best sports photo.
Papua New Guinea’s Under-17 basketball representatives Adam Maikai and Noah Yangomina have earned their finalists spots through their hard work and determination while Timothy Mako was recognised for his contribution in the community using basketball to drive change in Southern Highlands.
Kora Mea contributed his bit through his camera lens in the photograph title ‘It’s mine. Give me a break’.
Adam Maikai (Junior Male Athlete of the Year Finalist)
Maikai caught the attention of national selectors in 2021, then as a 13-year-old boy playing basketball in the muddy courts of Kikori, Gulf.
Three years later and two regional championships under his resume, Maikai is giving back to the community through his participating in domestic tournaments and competitions.
Now 16, this is Maikai’s second nomination in the category after Sugar-Ray Hakena (tennis) and himself finished runner ups to last year’s winner and cricketer John Kariko.
In 2021, Maikai represented Kikori in the U15 National Championships in Port Moresby and was selected to represent PNG in the U15 Oceania Championship in Guam in 2022.
He was selected again last year to captain the U17 team to the Oceania Championship that was held in Port Moresby.
“I have built an interest in the code while growing up. Seeing my mother playing and attending various competitions in other provinces inspired me to play and pursue a career in basketball,” he told The National early this year.
“And as a basketball player I would like to be an inspiration to young athletes and especially my siblings that in whatever dream that you have, work hard to pursue your goals with passion and perseverance.
Noah Yangomina (Junior Male Athlete of the Year Finalist)
Yangomina is another emerging talent who made his mark on the courts bringing the A-Game for PNG’s junior team.
A shining talent, Yangomina was named in the top-three finalist for the 2024 SP Sports Awards junior male category.
“It’s a real honour to be recognised as a junior male athlete, let alone being a finalist to be put up there with the likes of Sugar-Ray Hakena and Adam Maikai,” Yangomina said.
“Finalist aside, being recognised for your efforts as a junior athlete is something I’m very honoured and grateful for.
“As junior athletes we all are passionate about our respected sporting codes so much that we devote our time to our craft, along with trying to balance other aspects of our lives such as school, home or work.”
Yangomina said as a young basketball player, making the U17 PNG side was one of his highlights in 2023.
“Another achievement is being able to stay in the squad. Being in grade 10 and playing during an exam year was challenging, trying to make time for studying and preparing for my exams and making time to be consistent in training was physically and mentally a hard load to handle.
“On top of basketball, I was also named in the U16 PNG rep side for AFL so I had to balance a training session for that as well, so overall being able to time manage and keep my spot in the team was an achievement.”
“Overall this is my first time being named a finalist for the SP Sports Awards, and it is pretty exciting to think about but to just be recognised and being put up there with the likes of the other nominees is more than enough to be grateful and thankful for, for me,” he added.
Timothy Mako (Community Initiative Awards finalist)
Timothy Mako is not new to the awards circuit as he was recognised in 2017 for his contribution in sports at the community level.
Being a finalist in the 2024 SP Sports Awards community initiative award category among Cecelia Kanawi (Break-A-Sweat) and the National Kickboxing Federation is another achievement for recognising his work.
“I’m happy for be recognised and selected again for the 2024 SP sports award as one of stakeholder committed in contributing to the development of sports and youth empowerment in Southern Highlands and PNG,” Mako said.
“I was a finalist in the 2017 SP Sports award for the Community Sports Administrator category.
“Winning this award will mean a lot in terms of giving back and help build a stronger impact for Peace in my community,” he said.
Mako, who works under the Southstar Sports Development Association (SSDA), was recognised for his contribution to host the 2023 UN Women Peace Cup Basketball Tournament in Mendi, Southern Highlands. The goal was to restore peace in violent areas within the community.