(CNN Philippines, May 26) — FIBA, the international body governing basketball, has released on Tuesday guidelines for the return of basketball competitions around the world in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Published in English, French, and Spanish, the guidelines were developed by FIBA Medical Commission Chairman Dr. Peter Harcourt after consulting with the FIBA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group, and FIBA’s Medical and Players Commissions.
“In these challenging times, on behalf of FIBA’s Medical Commission, I would like to share our heartfelt support and solidarity with the basketball community across the world. I have witnessed that FIBA has been working tirelessly to ensure the health and safety of national federations, players, officials and other partners,” Dr. Harcourt said.
“Rest assured that our Medical Commission will keep working and collaborating closely with WHO and will endeavor to assist FIBA to safeguard the basketball community from the current pandemic crisis based on the scientific knowledge,” he added.
All FIBA-sanctioned competitions have been suspended since March.
In the country, the Philippine Sports Commission announced last week that 5×5 basketball will only be permitted under ‘new normal’ measures amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Professional leagues abroad have made different moves regarding their current schedules. The NBA is in talks with The Walt Disney Company about restarting its suspended season at Disney World, Florida this July, while EuroLeague Basketball announced on Monday the cancellation of the EuroLeague and EuroCup seasons.
The document called “Return to Basketball – Restart Guidelines for National Federations,” accompanied by a Risk Assessment Tool, was created in collaboration with the World Health Organization.
