Community basketball league back for 2023!

BY VELMA GARA

PICS BY KIWAT ABEDNEGO, KAREN

KEANE, MATILDA LOBAN

The Torres Strait region launched its Indigenous Community Basketball League (ICBL) with an opening ceremony and the first round of games last weekend.

Eight teams participated at the Torres Shire Sports Complex, with 14-year-old boys and girls teams each named Zey, NayGay, Kuki and Sager respectively.

Torres Strait and South Australia were the last two regions to tip off in the competition, joining Northern Territory Metro / Queensland North / Queensland South / Victoria / Western Australia and New South Wales.

Part of Indigenous Basketball Association, which delivers programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, the launch marked the start of ICBL’s third year.

Every player has an opportunity to be selected to compete at the National Indigenous Basketball Tournament in April.

The opening ceremony included an opening prayer by Fr Charlie Loban and a welcome to country by Elsie Seriat and Tagai Secondary Campus representative Matilda Loban.

Pledges were made by Deb Lui, Nay Binawel, Micaree Binawel and Karen Keane.

Kailu Luffman was the Master of Ceremony and then refereed games.

Entertainment was provided by the Island Stars Dance Team.

Torres Strait ICBL coordinator Michael Loban said he wanted to thank everyone for their support and making the day a success.

“Transport was provided by Aunty Joanne Savage and Uncle Yen Loban,” Michael said.

“Thanks to them for looking after the Horn Island players.”

Results of Round 1 Games played on Sunday 19

February 2023

KUKI 38 def

SAGER 27 (Boys)

NAYGAY 28 lost to ZET 38 (Girls)

KUKI 29 def

SAGER 19 (Girls)

ZEY 27 def

NAYGAY 21 (Boys)

Round 2 Games – Sunday 26

February 2023

12pm -12:45pm Island Dance Practice

1pm ZEY vs KUKI (Girls)

2pm ZEY vs KUKI (Boys)

3pm NAYGAY vs SAGER (Girls)

4pm NAYGAY vs SAGER (Boys)