GABF sets guidelines for return to basketball

The second edition of FIBA’s Restart Guidelines – authored by Dr Peter Harcourt, FIBA Medical Commission Chairman following consultations with FIBA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group (MAG), Medical Commission and Players Commission – has taken a step in the right direction.

The last 3×3 activity held was in 2019

The guidelines are primarily for national federations who are looking for guidance on the restart of basketball activities/competitions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are now available for national federations and leagues.
The purpose of these guidelines are to offer direction and advice for the restart of basketball activities and competitions. It is important to note that the guidelines are not intended to replace the guidance and restrictions of the Government of Guyana via the Health Ministry and the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry.
The FIBA COVID-19 MAG has been regularly reviewing the latest scientific knowledge as well as all the information including know-how, best practices and challenges in the context of the return to basketball, that have been provided by those national federations and leagues which have resumed their basketball activities and competitions. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has revised the first version of the Risk Assessment Tool for sport event organisers to provide an overview of the process for determining the risk of COVID-19 spread. The FIBA MAG has reflected the following updated scientific evidence on both COVID-19 and mass gatherings, as well as the valuable input and feedback from national federations and leagues:

FIBA Return to Basketball Guidelines 2.0
* Inclusion of the aspect regarding the COVID-19 spread through aerosol; and
* Addition of specific risk mitigation considerations to support professional leagues as well as national competitions in their restarts

Basketball Risk Assessment Tool 2.0
* Inclusion of the aspects regarding the possibility of modification of event delivery format;
* Addition of the Decision Tree; and
* Addition of the Risk Communication tab as communication of the COVID-19 risk to individuals in a mass gathering is considered as important as the other factors for risk assessment.
In commenting on the guidelines, the GABF notes it considers the well-being as well as the mental and physical health of all involved in our sport to be of paramount importance. We are thankful to the experts from the FIBA, WHO, the NBA and other national federations and leagues involved in this important work. In addition to the FIBA Repository of Restart Protocols made available recently, we hope this second edition of the Restart Guidelines will further assist you as you plan your restarts and, therefore a safe return to basketball and 3×3 basketball competitions.