The Tribune

BAHAMAS Basketball Federation (BBF) announced that it will be holding a FIBA Coaches Clinic with the aim of certifying all Level 1 basketball coaches in The Bahamas.

At a press conference last evening, coach Mario Bowleg, the first vice president of the BBF, requested that all coaches with intensions of coaching at any level this upcoming season come out and take part in the clinic which is being sponsored by BTC.

Bowleg explained that the clinic is designed to bring the sport to FIBA World standards. The clinic, which will begin at 8:30am Friday (this morning) at the Kendal G L Isaacs Gymnasium, will be conducted by international FIBA certified instructor Edwin Pena from Puerto Rico.

“The goal is to improve the game of basketball in The Bahamas. We are trying to bring the game up to world standards, FIBA standards. The only way to do that is to assure that their skills and their knowledge of the game is at FIBA standards.” Bowleg said.

Earlier this year, FIBA announced a number of new rules that will take effect around the world effective October 1.

FIBA is the independent, international association that governs the game of basketball around the world. FIBA is the only basketball body recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Kevin Johnson, president of the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association, underscored the importance of all coaches to attend the event.

“Basketball is one of the biggest sports in the country. What we intend to do here is improve the way it is played by enhancing the way the game is coached,” said Johnson.

Coach Bowleg, who is also the head coach of the CC Sweeting Cobras, said basketball is a sport that has to be “taught correctly” to be “played correctly”.

“A teacher of anything needs to be qualified in that discipline. The Ministry of Education has mandated that all coaches that intend to coach this upcoming season have to be certified in this course,” said Bowleg. “Basketball has gone to a new level, and The Bahamas will be a part of that movement.”

BBF representatives added that there will be a practical and theory examination for all of the participants on Sunday. If they successfully pass that exam they will become licenced FIBA Level-1 coaches.

Said Freddie Brown, an international instructor: “Any coach that sits on the bench or walks the sideline has to be certified by FIBA. The new rules has to be learnt and understood by every coach.”

The participation fee for the clinic is $50, which will cover their licence and all necessary materials.