FIBA Organizer to be used in Holiday Hoops

Basketball Association of Northern Mariana Islands president Elias Rangamar said they are planning to use FIBA Organizer in this weekend’s 2008 Annual Christmas Basketball Jam Festival Tournament.

The move aims not only to facilitate easy access on information about the games in the holiday caging, but also to help prepare volunteers for next year’s Oceania Basketball Tournament.

The CNMI was awarded the hosting rights for the Oceania caging and despite problems with the venues, BANMI is optimistic that the regional tournament will still be held on Saipan in June.

The Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, one of the two facilities that BANMI is eyeing to host games in the Oceania caging, failed to make the grade and FIBA Oceania is giving the federation until the end of this year to submit a program for the comprehensive upgrading of the gym.

Besides a high standard gym, knowing how to use a FIBA Organizer program and websites are among the requirements for keeping the Oceania caging here.

Teams aiming to make it to the tournament are also required to learn the program and manage their own websites.

FIBA Organizer is a software design to incorporate all facets of basketball administration, such as competition management (schedules, results, and standings) and membership database (clubs, players, coaches, and referees).

Data gathered through the FIBA Organizer are then put in the respective websites of the 21 island-nation members of FIBA Oceania.

“It his high time that we start using the software, as we are preparing to host the Oceania tournament next year. This practice (at Christmas caging) will give us a glimpse on what to expect come the tournament in June,” Rangamar said.

Several volunteers and BANMI officials attended a seminar on FIBA Organizer and website management conducted by FIBA Oceania secretary general Steve Smith and Zone administration manager Judy Smith in October this year.

FIBA Oceania through the information posted at FIBA Oceania website last month, reminded members to have competitions being run with the FIBA Organizer program by January 31, 2009.

Steve Smith added over 285 basketball associations in Australia and New Zealand are using the program, and now it is time for other 19 federations to join them.

“Let’s get together, get the programs used in the Pacific Islands. Let’s show FIBA that we can do things well, and that we are keen to see our sport moved forward,” the secretary general added.