– Akeem Crandon to replace Yonnick Tappin
The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation announced the following roster changes on Thursday, 8th April. Six-foot, eight-inch (6’8”) Center Akeem Crandon will replace Yonnick Tappin, who has been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list.
As stipulated by the International Basketball Federation’s (FIBA’s) COVID-19 Protocol for FIBA Competitions version 3 section 5.1 – Participating Team Delegations – Pre-travel, FIBA requires COVID-19 testing of all members of a Team Delegation. This includes all players and support personnel or any other individual who has had contact with the team, and it should be funded by the National Federation.
Prior to leaving for a FIBA competition, all members of a Team Delegation are required to do a testing regime of two (2) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests. Only PCR tests from samples (nasopharyngeal or saliva) collected by a health professional and analysed by a laboratory accredited by its government or national public health authority to perform PCR testing will be recognised as a valid test. FIBA will not accept samples that are self-collection samples, antigen testing, or point of care testing.
The two (2) PCR tests shall be carried out as per the following timeline:
One (1) PCR test taken seven (7) days before the departure. In case the date is on a bank holiday, or testing is not possible on the required date, then the test may be exceptionally postponed to six (6) days before departure; and
one (1) PCR test taken no later than 48 hours prior to departure (or in case of individuals located in the country of the host or game, arrival at the game location), or earlier if required by the host country authorities in order to enter the host country.
In case the date is on a bank holiday, or testing is not possible on the required date, then the test may be exceptionally anticipated to 72 hours before departure.
Participants shall obtain at least two (2) copies of the results of these tests in the English language, and the PCR tests must be negative in order for the person tested to be allowed to travel to the FIBA competition.
Any participant who has a positive PCR test result from these tests shall isolate immediately and shall not travel.
GABF General Secretary Patrick Haynes has been in constant consultation with the FIBA Americas Regional Office after learning of the positive PCR test result, and was advised to have the player removed from the team immediately; and that player shall be placed in a quarantine facility. Upon the recommendations of FIBA, the GABF activated FIBA’s recommendations.
Akeem Crandon will add additional defense to the heavy offence team.
The team delegation will undergo their second PCT test on Sunday, 11th April and depart on Monday, 12th April. (guyanabasketball.com)
