After 22 years, Vanuatu’s national basketball teams will return to the Melanesian Cup, making their first appearance again at the tournament to be hosted in Solomon Islands this year.

Close to 30 players and officials will travel to Solomon Islands for the competition, following months of preparation with training sessions held three times a week at the Stade basketball court.

Head Coach Sam Lewis confirmed that both the men’s and women’s teams will compete at the tournament. He also said financial support is urgently needed to strengthen the squad.

“We are looking to fund and reach out to sponsorship to put names on our jerseys,” Lewis said.

The coach also pointed to challenges with training facilities, particularly the condition of the outdoor court during the rainy season.

“The training facilities are bad because it’s raining this winter and there are a lot of potholes. People are still recovering from wet courts when they fall over and get bruises, so we need indoor facilities,” he explained.

The national squads will also include several overseas-based players to boost their strength in Solomon Islands.

Lewis further called for government backing, saying that although football received support for the Prime Minister’s Cup in Papua New Guinea this year, basketball also needs investment.

“I believe the strength of the nation is the top Olympic countries, but we can do it. Just getting players off the streets and into the game is already a big opportunity, and it’s also a big opportunity for Vanuatu to invest in sports,” Lewis said.

Both the men’s and women’s national basketball teams will represent Vanuatu at the Melanesian Cup in October this year.