The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) has confirmed its intention of participating at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Qualifiers scheduled for February in El Salvador.
Michael Singh, GABF president, made the disclosure during an exclusive interview with Stabroek Sport yesterday.
“The document is already signed. It’s basically indicating that we are interested in participating. All the teams from the Americas must compete in the World Cup Qualifiers,” said Singh.
Singh also revealed that there will be no Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) tournament where the local team can defend its title.
“As you know there is no CBC Tournament based on the Covid-19. Teams coming through the Americas will have to go through the qualifiers.
“The government has basically signed on from the point of view that the team can leave the country and participate.
“It makes no sense as the national body, that we sign on and say that we will attend and then the Covid-19 Task Force and Ministry of Health stop us,” he declared.
“We basically signed the document that we are interested and now we have to wait to see how many teams will participate in the event.
What we know for sure is that it’s going to be held in El Salvador from February 17th-21st. We should have the edge on some teams based on the fact that we are the defending champions of CBC,” he added.
According to Singh, several overseas players have indicated their willingness to participate in the tournament including the standout quartet of Delroy James, Anthony Moe, Kevon Wiggins and captain Stanton Rose.
“Majority of the overseas-based players have signalled their intention to represent the country including Delroy James, who plays in Greece and Anthony Moe, who is on duty in Nicaragua. Our two young stars in Stanton Rose and Kevon Wiggins, who play college ball, have also committed,” said Singh.
The registration of the national team is subject to several terms and conditions according to the official tournament registration form.
Similarly, several obligations are expected to be met by the respective national federations.
They include (1.) Attending all games played away and following all the requirements set out in the Regulatory Framework; (2). Being responsible for the behaviour of its players, coaches, accompanying team delegation members, any person carrying out a function at a game on its behalf, and supporters and (3.) Complying with the COVID-19 Protocol for FIBA Official National Team and Club Competitions.
The national federation will also be responsible for the team’s insurance.
“The National Member Federation undertakes throughout the competition, as well as during the travel to and from the competition, to ensure the provision of adequate health insurance to cover all its team delegation members and any other persons carrying out duties on its behalf against all risks, including but not limited to injury, accident, disease and travel in consideration of the relevant regulations. Sport injuries occurring to players during the competition games or practice shall be covered by a FIBA specific insurance and in accordance with the particular terms of such insurance policy,” the registration form stated.
Conversely, a participating national federation will be sanctioned if a registered team withdraws from the competition after the official draw was conducted.
