It’s a big year for basketball!
Along with the FIBA Basketball World Championships to be held in August 2010, basketball will also be included as a sport in the first ever Youth Olympic Games taking place around the same time. And yes, South Africa will have a team there!
So a few key things:
First Youth Olympic Games
The world will celebrate the launch of this younger version of the Olympic Games (for those up to 18 years old), which will also be held in four year cycles to coincide with the traditional Summer and Winter Olympics.
FIBA’s ’33′ basketball
This is the new format of the game that FIBA will be endorsing for the first time. You can read more here.
South African (mens) team to represent
Yes, that’s right – South Africa will be fielding a team at the games. We don’t have more information about the team at this point but will put it up as soon as we do. It’s a pity there won’t be a South African women’s basketball team going considering the skills we know we have here, but hopefully next time around they’ll get the nod!
The full list of Youth Olympic Games basketball participants:
Men’s teams: Argentina, Central African Republic, Croatia, Egypt, Greece, India, Iran, Israel, Lithuania, New Zealand, Panama, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Serbia, Spain, South Africa, Turkey, USA and US Virgin Islands.
Women’s teams: Angola, Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Korea, Mali, Russia, Singapore, USA, Vanuatu.
You can read more about the big event on FIBA’s site:
- Thirty-Nine teams confirmed for Youth Olympic Games
- It’s Singapore and it’s FIBA 33!
- Basketball getting ready for Youth Olympic Games
or see the official Singapore 2010 basketball page
This is great news! I hope that we prepare ourselves accordingly!
Hello. Who can I talk to if I want to be a player chosen for the U18 Yout Basketball Team? I am currently in university but just turned 18 this year, and have made the South African under 17 team before (when I was 16), so I really believe I have what it takes to be a part of the team. I currently play for the University of Cape Town Men's 1st Team. If you have any answers, please let me know at afulr05@yahoo.co.uk, and please tell me if there are any coaches/scouts/anyone that I can contact about this.
Thanks!
Who can I email personally that is in charge of this site? I have a few questions…
Jayson, agree – its a big opportunity for us!
Rama, we're also trying to find out. Will let you know as soon as we know anything.
If anyone else has some insight, please let us know too. You can reach us at info@mybasketball.co.za, or using the “Contact us” link at the bottom of the page.
Does anyone know how the U18 national tournament went?
Hello. Who can I talk to if I want to be a player chosen for the U18 Yout Basketball Team? I am currently in university but just turned 18 this year, and have made the South African under 17 team before (when I was 16), so I really believe I have what it takes to be a part of the team. I currently play for the University of Cape Town Men's 1st Team. If you have any answers, please let me know at afulr05@yahoo.co.uk, and please tell me if there are any coaches/scouts/anyone that I can contact about this.
Thanks!
Who can I email personally that is in charge of this site? I have a few questions…
Jayson, agree – its a big opportunity for us!
Rama, we're also trying to find out. Will let you know as soon as we know anything.
If anyone else has some insight, please let us know too. You can reach us at info@mybasketball.co.za, or using the “Contact us” link at the bottom of the page.
Does anyone know how the U18 national tournament went?