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Funds search for overseas stint
By JACK AMI
TOP Papua New Guinea women basketballers Nape Waka and Maka Muri’s dreams to play for the Northside Wizards Basketball Club in Brisbane is still far from turning into reality. The hard part of attracting interest from overseas clubs has been fulfilled but raising the required funds to pay for the stint has become the mind-boggling challenge. Each player needs K15,000 for a one-year stint with the Wizards. That amount would cover airfares Port Moresby – Brisbane (return) K5600, Travel Insurance K300, Player Insurance K900, Visas K440 and other expenses K6000. Waka was fortunate to receive K3000 from Mineral Resource Development Corporation through Petroleum Resources Gobe Ltd for airfares, travel, player insurance and visas on February 3. She thanked MRDC and PRGL for their generous support but needs further assistance to meet the balance of the K15,000. Muri has yet to receive any positive response and hopes a letter to Gulf Oil Trust Ltd for assistance may come good. Waka explained that this was not a scholarship – hence the reason why they had to raise their own funds. The two girls were selected during the National All Stars basketball championship in Lae last year by Wizards head coach Alice Michael. The duo are members of the Port Moresby Women’s Basketball League, playing as point and off guards for PNG too.. Their inclusion in the 2005 Mini Games in Palau helped PNG win the silver medal and bronze in the Pacific Games in Samoa. PNG last won the gold medal in 1991 in Port Moresby. National coach and mentor Veitu Diro is actively involved with the two players who are also members of the National club champions Saints. Basketball Federation PNG is very supportive of this but do not have the funds to help. Anybody interested in helping can contact Ronnie Mea (BFPNG) for further information on 3259774/ 72515661 or Diro on 3236443/ 3232319. |
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