KIRIBATI – An elderly woman from the tiny atoll of Kiribati in the middle of the South Pacific gave a memorable speech earlier this month when Kiribati Basketball Federation (KBF) launched their Hoops for Health (H4H) women in communities program.

On Thursday the 19^th of May, over 80 women from different community groups came together at the invitation of KBF and their H4H coaches to officially launch the new program. Also in attendance were members of the Kiribati National Olympic Committee, the Australian High Commission and representatives from Kiribati’s Ministry of Health and Ministry of Women, Youth and Social Affairs.

Amongst all of the distinguished guests was an elderly woman who is a participant and extremely passionate supporter of the H4H women in communities’ program.

"This is the first ever sports program which encouraged us to be more involving in the sports as for maintaining good health. I am thankful to the Basketball Federation and the Australian Government for funding this program. It is worthy as healthy women may contribute much to the development in Kiribati in the future."

Her heartfelt speech was the most powerful moment of the whole launch. The women of Kiribati were able to heavily relate to her and it even opened the eyes of other guests to how much basketball can do for women.

“To me, this was an emotional speech,” commented KBF’s H4H Coordinator, Tekabara Arobati. “She has been waiting for [an opportunity like] this for so long, and finally it comes true. Maybe in previous years women have stayed back because of our culture. Yet, this woman challenged other women to start playing basketball for their health and to spread the word to their friends.”

Women are not always seen as equal throughout the pacific but programs such as this help to showcase and promote the strength and resilience of women.

This sentiment was echoed throughout the event; KBF volunteer Johana Rabaua encouraged women to become coaches, referees or officials in any sport. She shared an uplifting story about former WNBA and Australian Opals coach Carrie Graf and what she overcame to succeed in sport. Graf was a guest speaker for the FIBA Women Enforcement Program that Rabaua attended in September of last year. 

KBF H4H coaches held a clinic at the launch to show the guests the type of basketball activities that participants would be exposed to during the program. All of the women thoroughly enjoyed the safe welcoming environment that the coaches created through the fun basketball games and activities.

The Kiribati women in communities program focuses on increasing female participation in basketball, improving gender equality and keeping the women of Kiribati healthy through proper diet and regular exercise.

Hoops for Health is funded as part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Sports Partnerships program. FIBA and KBF are very grateful for to the Australian Government for their support as this program would not be possible without them. 

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