Lebanon out of FIBA-Asia tourney
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 21 Jul 2013
Manila (PNA) ? The suspension the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) meted out on Lebanon stays. This means FIBA-Asia?s decision to bar Lebanon?s entry in the World Cup qualifying tournament the Philippines is hosting August 1-11 also stays.
In affirming its July 11 decision to suspend Lebanon, the world's highest governing body in the sport cited the failure of that country's basketball federation to put its state of affairs in order as FIBA-International mandated it to do as pre-requisite for its admission.
"The governance issues affecting basketball in Lebanon are much deeper and much more serious than the mere absence of proper appeal and disciplinary regulations within your statutes. Accordingly we are regretfully not in a position to reconsider our decision of July 11, 2013, and the Lebanese basketball federation remains suspended,? the FIBA announcement said released by the Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas released to media said.
"Despite your attempts and those of the FIBA-ASIA secretary-general (Hagop Kaijiran) within the past few days to find solutions to these issues, the situation remains highly unstable," the statement added.
"The scenario represents without any doubt the most serious violation of the FIBA General Statutes and all principles under which the Olympic sports movement is founded. Your federation was not and still is not properly armed to face political interference and solve sporting disputes within its own structures.?
That meant the Lebanese, who arrived in Manila a few says ago hoping for the reversal of FIBA-International decision, will be barred from competing in the FIBA Asia tourney that gives to the top three finishers slots in next years' FIBA World Cup in Spain.
"It is unfortunate that Lebanon will not be able to participate," Sonny Barrios, executive director of the organizing SBP, said.
"We feel sorry for the Lebanon national team which is in Manila early as part of its preparation for the Championship," added Barrios. "We can only wish them well and hope for positive developments in the future for Lebanese basketball as their officials try to resolve the issues confronting them."
According to the Lebanese newspaper The Daily Star(www.dailystar.com.lb), citing national team committee member Jean Mamo, the team has booked a return flight for home and will arrive in Beirut on Saturday.
Some sure participants benefitted most from the latest development.
Lebanon was earlier bracketed in Group B along with Japan, Qatar and Hong Kong in the first round where the top three teams advance following intra group play.
FIBA Asia, meanwhile, announced that no other country will take the place in Lebanon in the tournament giving the Japanese, the Qataris and the Hongkong cagers free entry in the next round in their group.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
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