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Only five slots open for FIBA Oceania caging
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Posted on Sep 18 2008
With the CNMI given an automatic slot to the 2009 Oceania Basketball Tournament and powerhouse New Zealand and Australia also getting free tickets to the biennial caging competition, only five berths are left open for 18 other FIBA Oceania member nations.
The Commonwealth will be hosting the Oceania caging from June 20 to 28 next year, thus earning a free entry to the tournament.
The CNMI was awarded the hosting rights for the regional meet in May this year during FIBA Oceania’s meeting in Coffs Harbour, Australia.
In an email to various FIBA Oceania members, FIBA Oceania Secretary General Steve Smith asked officials to coordinate their participation in next year’s tournament with Judy Smith.
FIBA Oceania will be sending nomination procedures, timeline, and selection criteria for the tournament to interested federations next month.
Games in the 2009 Oceania Basketball Tournament will be played at the Marianas High School Gymnasium. Local organizer Basketball Association of Northern Mariana Islands is also looking at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium as a possible venue for the games.
FIBA Oceania is looking forward to an exciting tournament next year, as it will mark the first time in eight years that Australia and New Zealand cagers will show their wares against Pacific Island teams.
“The event host will provide accommodation and meals in Pacific style one day before and one day after the event at no cost to the participating teams. This is a first for the FIBA Oceania Tournament,” according to the FIBA Oceania’s website.
This will be the second straight time that the CNMI will be competing in a FIBA Oceania-sanctioned tournament, as the Commonwealth is scheduled to participate in the FIBA Oceania Youth Tournament in Guam later this month.
The CNMI Junior Nationals will go up against the host, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, Tahiti, Palau, and tournament favorite Australia.
