Para Primary School is the second school to receive a new basketball court and was officially handed to the school in early August. The coaching clinic is expected to start in October.

 

Juni Primary School was the first school in Hides to pilot the basketball coaching clinic in 2016 and have the school's basketball court refurbished. 

 

Para Primary School head teacher Thomas Belo thanked ExxonMobil PNG for its support since the school resumed operation five years ago.

 

"While some students may be successful in education others may excel in sports. This support provides students with an alternative to progress their development," he said.

 

ExxonMobil PNG's Hides Gas Conditioning Plant senior field superintendent Ken Rhyason said that sport was a motivator and a vehicle for change for the young men and women. 

 

"By supporting such development programs for youth, we are providing an opportunity for them to become active and reliable members of their community. We hope that this experience will open new horizons and build within themselves stronger self-belief in their potential," Rhyason said.

 

ExxonMobil PNG has invested approximately K21 million in education infrastructure support, governance improvement programs, and teacher training since 2011.

 

This work forms part of the youth empowerment program which is a partnership between ExxonMobil and the Basketball Federation of PNG which combines basketball skills training with a concentration on teamwork, social skills, sportsmanship and life skills.