Tri-Sports legend to officiate at 33rd sports award

Former netball, basketball, and softball legend Veitu Diro has been announced as the guest speaker for the 33rd SP Sports Awards, set to take place on June 14, 2025, at the Crown Hotel

“Veitu is a South Pacific Games gold-medalist, representing the country in six South Pacific Games and three Pacific Mini Games," SP Brewery Corporate Affairs Manager John Nilkare said.

"She was also a core member of the Commonwealth Games General Management team, and we are thrilled to have her over for the awards night on 14th June."

In the lead up to the awards, a coaching clinic will be held at the Taurama Aquatic Centre, where Diro will work with Team PNG’s Basketball and Beach Volleyball athletes.

The session aims to inspire young players as they prepare to depart for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games in Palau this June.

"Veitu was a dominant force on the court as an athlete and coach, and she is honored to engage with our athletes," Nilkare said.

Veitu Diro’s impressive sporting journey includes representing Papua New Guinea in:
•The inaugural PNG National Basketball team in 1967 [Townsville, Australia]
•The 1969 South Pacific Games [Port Moresby]
•The 1971 South Pacific Games [Tahiti], where she won her first gold medal in basketball
•The 1975 World Netball Series [New Zealand]
•The 1979 South Pacific Games [Fiji]
•The 1981 Pacific Mini Games [Guam]

As a coach, Diro played a pivotal role in the PNG Netball Team [Pepes] winning silver medals at the 1991 South Pacific Games in Guam and the 2001 Pacific Mini Games in Norfolk Island.

She also guided the PNG Women’s Basketball team to a silver medal at the 2005 Mini Pacific Games in Palau and a bronze at the 2007 Pacific Games in Samoa.