MEDIA RELEASE
9 April 2008
For immediate release
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT BACKS BASKETBALL CLUB
Chariots Basketball Club today hailed as a success a three-day basketball clinic for pupils from four primary schools funded by the Australian Government.
The clinic in Port Moresby was supported through the Australian Sports Outreach Program (ASOP), which offers grants to grassroots sports organisations in the Pacific.
The event concluded with a closing ceremony at the Hohola Basketball Courts this morning, which was attended by Community Development Minister, Dame Carol Kidu and the Australian High Commissioner, His Excellency Mr Chris Moraitis.
Chariots Basketball Club designed the clinic to improve the children’s basketball skills while raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, children’s rights and drug abuse. It was also intended to build better relationships between the participating schools as a way of reducing inter-school fights in the Hohola area of the capital.
The participating schools were Sacred Heart Primary, Eki Vaki Primary School, Hohola Demonstration and Ted Diro Primary School.
Mr Moraitis said: “The idea for this clinic was to help the students live healthy and responsible lives and to develop their awareness of HIV/AIDS, children’s rights and drug abuse.
“It was also intended to build improve relationships between the participating schools and reduce inter school violence. These are all very worthy objectives.”
President of Chariots Basketball Club, John Vere, expressed his thanks to the Australian Government for its support, which ensured the success of the project.
Mr Vere said: “The club was founded in 1994 on the principle that sport can act as a springboard for kids to pursue their dreams and reach their maximum potential. The club initially focused on underprivileged kids from Hohola but over the years it has extended its reach and now has members from across the city.”
Chariots Basketball Club is affiliated under the local Capital Basketball League which comes under the Papua New Guinea Basketball Federation. The club received almost K5,000.00 ($2,164.00) from ASOP to purchase basketball equipment.
Media Inquiries: Oliver Nombri, Public Diplomacy Officer, T: 325 9333 ext 454