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I do not agree with what the lebanese official said that china and japan will be given priority to host the next fiba-asia tournament due to marketing considerations. While that is a valid consideration since they have big populations, both countries have recently hosted fiba tournaments so for them to host more fiba tournaments smacks of monopolism. They are trying to corner the hosting of fiba tournaments. The hosting of FIBA tournaments should be given to other countries such as the Philippines for as long as the country has adequate facilities, and definitely, in the case of the Philippines we have basketball facilities everywhere. The SBP should not let this lebanese official fool them and the SBP should pull out all the stops to host the FIBA-Asia tournament. The hosting of FIBA-Asia tournaments should be fair and not monopolized . Justice for all !
SBP softens stand on BAP
By Joaquin Henson
Friday, September 12, 2008
At its inception, the POC-recognized NSA for basketball was called the BAP-Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas as a conciliatory gesture to the defunct Basketball Association of the Philippines.
Eventually, the reference to the BAP was dropped because it became irrelevant and now, the NSA is known only as the SBP, the country’s sole FIBA affiliate. But remnants of the BAP leadership refused to fade away, resorting to a smear campaign to discredit the SBP in what was perceived to be a losing cause.
In a change of heart, SBP executive director Noli Eala yesterday opened the door for the BAP to join as a regular member.
Eala said he spoke to FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann during the recent Beijing Olympics and mentioned he would reach out to the BAP.
“The SBP is strong in the elite program while the BAP could use its old network for grassroots development,” said Eala.
However, Eala said the BAP must recognize the SBP leadership as a condition for its acceptance into the fold.
“We are open to the idea of working with the BAP,” he said. “But the BAP must recognize the leadership of Mr. (Manny) Pangilinan as president. I see no problem working with the BAP. We will treat the BAP just like any SBP member, league or association. But we will not tolerate the BAP trying to usurp the SBP’s authority.”
While in Tehran for the recent under-18 Youth Championships, Eala conferred with FIBA-Asia deputy secretary-general Hagop Khajirian of Lebanon on the possibility of Manila hosting the 2011 men’s tournament, which will be the regional qualifier for the London Olympics.
“Mr. Khajirian welcomed our offer,” said Eala. “However, I was told the preference is for China or Japan to host in 2009 or 2011 because of marketing considerations. If China declines to host in 2009, it will be given priority to host in 2011.”
Eala said the Olympic basketball format in London may change, pending IOC approval at the Copenhagen congress next year.
In Beijing, only 12 countries participated in basketball with Iran representing Asia as China had a guaranteed ticket as host nation. In London, FIBA is proposing to expand the field to 16 countries with a limit of 10 players per team instead of 12. There is also a plan to merge Asia and Oceania under a common zone with three Olympic slots. At present, Asia and Oceania are allocated one spot each.
Australia is the perennial Olympic basketball entry for Oceania, leaving out New Zealand. If Asia and Oceania are merged for three spots, Australia and New Zealand could qualify together.
Eala also bared plans of organizing a National Team management group, similar to the USA Basketball model, to lay the groundwork for representation in international competitions.
The management group will be headed by Bernie Atienza, concurrently SBP chairman of the competition committee. Members will be two from the pro sector, three from the collegiate sector (NCAA, UAAP and CESAFI), two from the amateur commercial sector (PBL, Liga), two national coaches (Chot Reyes, Norman Black), two coaches (Yayoy Alcoseba will be one) and Eala as executive director.
Eala said a national pool will be assembled soon and a team formed to play at the Haarlem invitationals in Amsterdam in December. Angola and Holland will participate in the tournament.
Eala said starting next month, the SBP will undertake a roadshow for its members all over the country.
“We’re going around to touch base with our members and strengthen our network,” he said. “We’ll promote our programs and establish a one-stop shop, like an express lane, for leagues to become SBP membWe’re consolidating the efforts of all the basketball stakeholders under one roof to make sure we cover every league, group and association.”
Eala said the creation of the Regulatory and Standards Committee under Moying Martelino will address issues of officiating, playing and coaching. In the referees program, Eala said the goal is to increase the country’s roster of international referees from five to 10 or 15.
“We are closely coordinating with FIBA in our referees program,” said Eala. “That’s why we’re bringing in Mr. (Lubomir) Kotleba and Col. (Lee (Kak Kuan) next week to conduct a referees seminar.” Kotleba of the Slovak Republic is the FIBA sports director while Col. Lee of Korea is the FIBA-Asia technical director.
Eala said recruiting a foreign coach and a naturalized player for the national team is under consideration. Candidates for foreign coach include Rajko Toroman and Vlade Djorovic of Serbia, Bernardo Murphy of Argentina, Alan Richardson of England, former PBA import Andy Fields and Jonas Kazlauskas and Rimas Kurtinaitis of Lithuania.
“We’re looking at a foreign coach who is a mentor-type,” said Eala. “He must be willing to relocate and develop and train our young players for international competition.”
Eala said the SBP is exploring all options to put the country back on track as a basketball power in Asia.
SBP softens stand on BAP
By Joaquin Henson
Friday, September 12, 2008
At its inception, the POC-recognized NSA for basketball was called the BAP-Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas as a conciliatory gesture to the defunct Basketball Association of the Philippines.
Eventually, the reference to the BAP was dropped because it became irrelevant and now, the NSA is known only as the SBP, the country’s sole FIBA affiliate. But remnants of the BAP leadership refused to fade away, resorting to a smear campaign to discredit the SBP in what was perceived to be a losing cause.
In a change of heart, SBP executive director Noli Eala yesterday opened the door for the BAP to join as a regular member.
Eala said he spoke to FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann during the recent Beijing Olympics and mentioned he would reach out to the BAP.
“The SBP is strong in the elite program while the BAP could use its old network for grassroots development,” said Eala.
However, Eala said the BAP must recognize the SBP leadership as a condition for its acceptance into the fold.
“We are open to the idea of working with the BAP,” he said. “But the BAP must recognize the leadership of Mr. (Manny) Pangilinan as president. I see no problem working with the BAP. We will treat the BAP just like any SBP member, league or association. But we will not tolerate the BAP trying to usurp the SBP’s authority.”
While in Tehran for the recent under-18 Youth Championships, Eala conferred with FIBA-Asia deputy secretary-general Hagop Khajirian of Lebanon on the possibility of Manila hosting the 2011 men’s tournament, which will be the regional qualifier for the London Olympics.
“Mr. Khajirian welcomed our offer,” said Eala. “However, I was told the preference is for China or Japan to host in 2009 or 2011 because of marketing considerations. If China declines to host in 2009, it will be given priority to host in 2011.”
Eala said the Olympic basketball format in London may change, pending IOC approval at the Copenhagen congress next year.
In Beijing, only 12 countries participated in basketball with Iran representing Asia as China had a guaranteed ticket as host nation. In London, FIBA is proposing to expand the field to 16 countries with a limit of 10 players per team instead of 12. There is also a plan to merge Asia and Oceania under a common zone with three Olympic slots. At present, Asia and Oceania are allocated one spot each.
Australia is the perennial Olympic basketball entry for Oceania, leaving out New Zealand. If Asia and Oceania are merged for three spots, Australia and New Zealand could qualify together.
Eala also bared plans of organizing a National Team management group, similar to the USA Basketball model, to lay the groundwork for representation in international competitions.
The management group will be headed by Bernie Atienza, concurrently SBP chairman of the competition committee. Members will be two from the pro sector, three from the collegiate sector (NCAA, UAAP and CESAFI), two from the amateur commercial sector (PBL, Liga), two national coaches (Chot Reyes, Norman Black), two coaches (Yayoy Alcoseba will be one) and Eala as executive director.
Eala said a national pool will be assembled soon and a team formed to play at the Haarlem invitationals in Amsterdam in December. Angola and Holland will participate in the tournament.
Eala said starting next month, the SBP will undertake a roadshow for its members all over the country.
“We’re going around to touch base with our members and strengthen our network,” he said. “We’ll promote our programs and establish a one-stop shop, like an express lane, for leagues to become SBP membWe’re consolidating the efforts of all the basketball stakeholders under one roof to make sure we cover every league, group and association.”
Eala said the creation of the Regulatory and Standards Committee under Moying Martelino will address issues of officiating, playing and coaching. In the referees program, Eala said the goal is to increase the country’s roster of international referees from five to 10 or 15.
“We are closely coordinating with FIBA in our referees program,” said Eala. “That’s why we’re bringing in Mr. (Lubomir) Kotleba and Col. (Lee (Kak Kuan) next week to conduct a referees seminar.” Kotleba of the Slovak Republic is the FIBA sports director while Col. Lee of Korea is the FIBA-Asia technical director.
Eala said recruiting a foreign coach and a naturalized player for the national team is under consideration. Candidates for foreign coach include Rajko Toroman and Vlade Djorovic of Serbia, Bernardo Murphy of Argentina, Alan Richardson of England, former PBA import Andy Fields and Jonas Kazlauskas and Rimas Kurtinaitis of Lithuania.
“We’re looking at a foreign coach who is a mentor-type,” said Eala. “He must be willing to relocate and develop and train our young players for international competition.”
Eala said the SBP is exploring all options to put the country back on track as a basketball power in Asia.
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