- Sporting icon Veitu Apana Diro, CBE, MBE, will take centre stage as the guest speaker at this year’s SP Sports Awards, to be held on Saturday, 14th June 2025, at the Crown Hotel.
A legendary figure in Papua New Guinea’s sporting history, Diro has represented the nation with distinction across netball, basketball, and softball, securing gold at the South Pacific Games and competing in six South Pacific Games and three Pacific Mini Games throughout her career.
She also played a key leadership role as part of the Commonwealth Games General Management team, further cementing her legacy both on and off the field.
“Veitu is a South Pacific Games gold-medalist and a proud ambassador of PNG sport. We are honoured to welcome her as our guest speaker for the 2025 SP Sports Awards,” said John Nilkare, SP Brewery’s Corporate Affairs Manager.
“We have arranged a coaching clinic at the Taurama Aquatic Centre where with the Team PNG Basketball and Beach Volleyball athletes to inspire our young players before they depart to Palau in June for the 2025 Pacific Mini Games.”
Veitu was a dominant force on the court as an athlete and coach, and she is honored to engage with our athletes.” Nilkare added.
She represented Papua New Guinea in:
· The inaugural PNG National Basketball 1967 in Townsville, Australia
· South Pacific Games in Port Moresby in 1969
· South Pacific Games in Tahiti in 1971 where she won her first gold medal in basketball
· World Netball Series in 1975 New Zealand
· South Pacific Games 1979 in Fiji
· Pacific Mini Games in 1981 in Guam
Veitu Diro’s coaching leadership has been instrumental in Papua New Guinea’s sporting success over the years. Under her guidance, the PNG Netball Team (Pepes) secured silver medals at the 1991 South Pacific Games in Guam and the 2001 Pacific Mini Games in Norfolk Island. She also led the PNG Women’s Basketball Team to a silver medal at the 2005 Mini Pacific Games in Palau, and a bronze medal at the 2007 Pacific Games in Samoa.
Veitu Diro has made a lasting impact on the development of sports in Papua New Guinea. Her journey in sports administration began in 1972, and she went on to serve as President of the PNG Netball Federation for 11 years, leading the organisation with dedication and vision.
She was also elected as the First Female Vice President on the Papua New Guinea Sports Federation Board in 1974 (now the PNG Olympic Committee), serving an impressive 32 years. Her tenure marks her as one of the longest-serving executives in the organization’s history. From 2000 to 2008, Veitu also served as the Chairperson of the PNG Women in Sports Committee. Her involvement in national netball selections spanned over 30 years.
Off the court, the 78-year-old remains a passionate advocate for women in sports, dedicating her time to mentoring aspiring athletes and championing equality in sports.