FIBA remains hopeful of resuming some competitions but only if the conditions allow for it, according to a statement on its website. Decisions will be made regarding the Basketball Champions League, the Basketball Champions League Americas and the Basketball Africa League in the coming weeks after consultation with the respective leagues and clubs. The same applies to our international competitions suspended at sub-Zone level, the statement from FIBA president Hamane Niang and Secretary General Andreas Zagklis adds.
We have more from around the basketball world:
- Italy’s LNP has entered a request to resume play in the Serie A2 league in May and June but only if government allows all the teams to travel, practice and play in front of spectators, Emiliano Carchia of Sportando writes. The Serie A2 Italian Cup has already been canceled. LNP asked the Italian Basketball Federation to cancel Serie B, a lower-tier league.
- The 14 teams of the Greek Basket League have agreed to end their season, Carchia relays in another post. No decision has been made regarding final standings or if there will be a champion crowned.
- The Belgian Pro Basketball League and Dutch Basketball League clubs are taking steps to create a BeNeLeague for the 2021/2022 season, Nicola Lupo of Sportando writes. The final decision by clubs of both countries will be made in the fourth quarter of 2020. If the league is a go, it would begin in mid-September 2021.
BeNeLeague as in, english language?– with the “e”s pronounced German? BelNet or HolBel may sound better, but then it’s neither of their languages. Well sounds like a good idea.
BeNeLeague is derived from the term “BeNeLux”, which is the commercial union of Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg, although it os often used to refer to those three countries at the same time. It sounds very natural, for once I think they had a good idea. Although, the idea of merging both leagues has been discussed for years (for various sports, not just basketball) and I believe this best to have a stronger merged league than two separate weak leagues. Let’s see if they manage to keep politics out of this and move forward.