Papua New Guinea’s national basketball teams arrived home to a loud cheers and celebrations at Jacksons International Airport yesterday.
The teams arrived after their great performance at the 2025 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Melanesian Cup in Honiara, Solomon Islands.
Family, friends, and fans waved their flags and banners as they welcomed the players, who proudly carried their medals and the PNG flag through the arrival terminal.
The PNG men’s team won the gold medal after an unbeaten run, reclaiming the Melanesian Cup title for the second time since 2017.
The women’s team also made the country proud by taking home the silver medal after a strong fight in the finals.
Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea (BFPNG) President David Peter praised both teams for their commitment and teamwork throughout the tournament.
“We are very proud of what our teams achieved in Honiara. The men won gold, and the women won silver, that’s a big result for basketball in Papua New Guinea,” Peter said.
He thanked the coaches, sponsors, and families for their support, saying their help made the success possible.
“Behind every win, there are people who believe in our players. We thank everyone who stood by the teams,” he added.
President Peter said the focus now is on preparing early for the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti.
“Our teams will train hard to be ready for the next big challenge,” he said.
The return of the teams has inspired many young Papua New Guineans and lifted national pride, showing that PNG basketball continues to grow stronger every year.
