Britain's hopes of fielding a competitive basketball team at the
London 2012 Olympics have been raised after the sport's governing
body partially lifted an international ban on English players.
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) had barred all
English players from competition following Sport England's decision
to freeze funding for England Basketball after a review labelled it
"untenable".
FIBA accused Sport England, the Government agency responsible
for funding sport, of "unacceptable interference" in England
Basketball's affairs.
However, at a meeting between England Basketball chairman Terry
Donovan and FIBA general secretary Patrick Baumann several of the
issues seem to have been resolved, chiefly Sport England's decision
to release part of the withheld funding.
"FIBA and FIBA Europe have determined that sufficient initial
progress has been made to ensure that English basketball teams and
players are closer to being admitted to play in European
competitions," a FIBA statement said.
England's Under 20, Under 18 and Under 16 teams will now be
permitted to play in European events later this month although a
final decision on senior teams has been postponed until July
13.
"We now urge the British Government and its agencies to resolve
the remaining issues concerning England Basketball," the statement
added.
Last month Keith Mair, chief executive of England Basketball,
said any ban on English players would have a devastating effect on
Britain's hopes of reaching the required standard for an Olympic
basketball team.
(China Daily via Reuters June 19, 2007)