Basketball in Africa

In a move to give the country’s two pre-selections ample time to train for these Games, slated for Madagascar from August 9 to 19, the SBF has decided to suspend the Men’s division 1A and Women’s leagues until after the IOIG.

Speaking to Sports Nation yesterday, chairman Denis said that “it is best for us to suspend both league championships to give the coaches to prepare the teams for the IOIG. Also, American coach Sterling Wright is expected here soon and if we want him to work with the team the way he wants, it is best that we suspend the two leagues.”

This means that Men’s division 1A and Women’s league action will resume a week after the IOIG.

Even though there have been certain delays in fixtures due to the number of training camps organised so far, the league will still be played over two rounds but the Top-of-the-table competition will be scrapped from the calendar.

The annual SBF Cup will still be played with the winners getting to represent Seychelles in a competition on the African continent, compared to the Men’s division 1A winners who will participate in the Indian Ocean Club Championship (IOCC).

The women’s pre-selection comprises 13 players, while 15 male players make up the men’s pre-selection.

The two sets of coaches – Steve Hoareau (women’s head coach), Pascal Fostel (women’s assistant coach), Alix Allisop (men’s head coach) and Clifford Joubert (men’s assistant coach) – will only make the final cut in late July after all players have done doping tests.

Other than the two friendlies against two local mixed teams, the two pre-selections are to play test matches against Kenyan and Greek sides if everything goes according to plan.

Meanwhile, there will still be matches in the Men’s division 1B and Men’s division 2 leagues.

# posted by afrbk : 16:10