PNG Set to Bounce on the Big Stage

PORT MORESBY (Papua New Guinea) - The Maikai siblings Adam and Gibella will represent Kikori, their home province (Gulf) and the country for the first time playing for the PNG Under 15s at the FIBA U15 Oceania Championships in Guam.

Joining the Maikai siblings to also make their debut will be 22 other squad members.

From the muddy basketball courts of Kikori to cemented courts in Guam is a great achievement not just for the Maikai family but for the whole of Kikori District and probably Gulf Province.

Following their mother’s footsteps in basketball, Adam (15) and Gibella (13) grew up playing the sport back in their village.

Adam said his mom inspired him after she returned from the 2017 PNG Games in Kimbe and returned with a bronze medal.

This inspired him (Adam) and his younger sister to take up the sport at a very young age.

Adam, while playing, did not really have the feel of it until two years ago when his mother, Ella Dodobai, who is currently the Kikori Urban Basketball Association president, hosted Independence games and also Gibella’s birthday celebrations.

“By that time I was 13-years old; I started to love basketball and played every day on the muddy court with my friends.”

Adam said he started learning the basics of basketball from his mother and coaches back in Kikori.

“The first basic skills I remember learning were defensive and dribbling.”

H4H co-coordinator Jordan Sere said at the end of the day basketball is there to inspire, “so what we can do we will do and I’m glad Adam can see that”.

“Adam has shown interest in coaching, he asked me for help and I’ve given him guidance and advice and being a young coach will be a bonus for Kikori and Gulf Province.”

Young Adam and Gibella also play in the Kikori Urban Basketball Association (KUBA) and recently participated in the U15s and U17s National Championships in which they (KUBA) won the U15s title, with Gibella getting player of the match award.

From these championships, both Adam and Gibella were selected.

Adam also thanked all his coaches in Kikori and also Sere for teaching him everything about basketball.

Both Adam and Gibella will be part of the contingent to travel to Guam this Sunday (November 20).

Post Courier - Megan Fiu Ra'Vu

The FIBA U15 Oceanian Championships serve as qualifiers for the FIBA U16 Asian Championships 2023 with the top two teams going through.
The FIBA U15 Oceania Championships will be hosted in Guam from November 21 to November 26. Follow the event here!

FIBA