FIBA publishes guidelines for the Return to Basketball

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has published recommendations on returning to basketball in the “Return to Basketball – Restart Guidelines for National Federations”, in the wake of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
A basketball-specific Risk Assessment Tool has also been produced in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO).
FIBA’s guidelines, published in English, French and Spanish, are primarily for national federations that are seeking direction and advice on the restart of basketball activities and competitions, with the vast majority around the world having been halted in mid-March owing to the pandemic. The guidelines and risk assessment tool will serve as a checklist to ensure any decisions on basketball events are based on an assessment of risks and the best chance of a successful restart.
Guyana were set to defend, in Paramaribo, Suriname, their Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Senior Championship, which was won in 2018. The Guyana side had a successful three-match prep series after they thrashed Grenada at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall 3-0. Once the pandemic has ended, Guyana will be able to participate in the FIBA Americup 2023 qualifying tournament. Despite no tournament being completed in 2020, FIBA will use current rankings to decide who will represent the Caribbean, as Guyana also placed third in the Americup qualifiers in 2019.
Local COVID-19 cases have risen to 153 as of June 1, 2020. The pandemic affected the basketball fraternity here by forcing the cancellation of a number of tournaments. Nevertheless, National Basketball Coach Junior Hercules has urged players to follow the safety measures and work on a lot of strength and personal health training as they await the end of the pandemic.
Therefore, these risk assessment guidelines will be beneficial to the game of basketball as Guyanese fans will avidly await the return of the game.