With the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) now a global pandemic, basketball’s governing body, FIBA, has suspended all competitions and programmes indefinitely, forcing the possible rescheduling of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championship and the FIBA AmeriCup Qualifiers to 2021.
This was revealed by Junior Hercules, Head Coach of the Guyana Men’s Team and National Coordinator of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF). According to Hercules, the decision by FIBA was effective March 12th and was revealed in a press release signed by President Hanane Niang and Secretary General Andreas Zagklis.
Guyana is the defending FIBA AmeriCup Caribbean Pre-Qualifier Champion, after defeating Antigua and Barbuda 83-70 in the 2018 final.
The correspondence stated, “In these extraordinary circumstances, where virtually all of our 213 National Member Federations have been affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it is paramount that the basketball community is an example of responsible behaviour.”
According to the release, “Coronavirus has resulted in major disruption to the basketball calendar, which we appreciate has, and will continue to, cause concern and uncertainty for you all. Rest assured, every decision we are taking is motivated by safety considerations for players, coaches, officials and fans. That is why on March 12, once it was evident that the outbreak was turning into a pandemic, FIBA became the first international federation to issue a general suspension of its competitions.”
The correspondence stated, “Whilst FIBA competitions are currently suspended, this does not mean that preparations for future FIBA competitions have stopped. We are in continuous communication with event hosts and will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis, as well as following the guidance of the World Health Organization (WHO), public authorities and the FIBA Medical Commission.”
“In the coming weeks, a decision will be made regarding the Basketball Champions League, the Basketball Champions League Americas and the Basketball Africa League, after consultation with the respective leagues and clubs. The same applies to our international competitions suspended at sub-Zone level. Needless to say, we will keep you abreast of any developments in this rapidly changing landscape. Basketball games will be back and the basketball community will emerge stronger from this. But for now, please do everything you can to keep yourselves, your families and your communities safe,” the release added.
Hercules, who also serves as the Head Coach for local club Plaisance Guardians, stated that a possible timeline for the staging of the event would be the first quarter of 2021.
According to Hercules, “I am disappointed with the possibility of the games not being staged. Based on the little information, we would have had more countries participating, like Jamaica, and equally we would have been given an opportunity to defend our title which is an exciting journey. We obviously would have gotten more experience from overseas players the likes of Stanton Rose, Kevon Wiggins and Anthony who have been doing well and we would have given ourselves a good showing in the event.”
He further said, “Similarly, Delroy James, one of [our] more experienced players, who plays in Spain, would have added to the quality of the team and would have made himself available once there was no clash with his club commitments. We would have been very competitive; the only challenge for us would have been the lack of a national club championship, which would have helped solidify our local players who would want to be given an opportunity to represent the country at the senior level.”
