The Tribune

BASKETBALL

FIBA MEETING

WILL the Bahamas men’s basketball team finally make it to the Olympics?

The answer to this question may be answered next week when a high level contingent from the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) will arrive in the Bahamas to address the question.

FIBA top brass will include Usie Richards, president of FIBA Americas; Alberto Garcia, director of FIBA, and FIBA representatives Anibewl Garcia and Victor Mansure.

The primary purpose for the special visit to the Bahamas is to meet with the Bahamas Basketball Federation, government officials and other key partners in the tourism and sporting communities.

It is anticipated that the new format for eligibility to qualify for the Olympics will be high on the agenda. The Bahamas is viewed globally as a basketball powerhouse, most recently with the Bahamian teams dominating play at the Caribbean and Latin American competitions without the inclusion of some of the great players which the country has at its disposal.

No doubt, efforts will be made to secure all the best Bahamian players throughout the world as a result of this initiative. This could very well be historic for the BBF, which is skippered by basketball legend Charlie ‘Softly’ Robins.

It is expected that private meetings will be held with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, Ministry of Tourism, Bahamas Olympic Committee, Atlantic, BTC and others.

The delegates arrived in town on Sunday and will depart on Thursday, February 23.

URBAN GAMES

THE 2017 Urban Games is all set for Saturday (February 25) at Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

The event is scheduled to begin at 10am and will feature events for communities, Members of Parliament, Pastors and Armed Forces.