POSTED BY: Eurobasket Center
Stuart Manwaring, FIBA Oceania Zone Development Officer, has returned from a successful 36 day trip that included time in Palau, Kosrae, Pohnpei, Chuuk and Guam. Stuart was most enthused by what he saw in all of the areas visited.
Basketball in Palau continues to be strong and the annual calendar for competitions is being followed. The men's NBL competition is nearing completion of the first round, with the new division 1 & 2 format proving successful.
While in Palau Stuart worked with the newly formed Echung Hamlet (village) basketball association. Stuart was most impressed with the new outdoor court at Echung, which was build from a donation from the President of Palau, a regular himself on the basketball courts in Koror.
Palau NBDO Topps Sungino has been motivated by the enthusiasm shown by the basketball community in Echung and will work towards developing more hamlet basketball associations, knowing that the development of basketball at the grassroots level is necessary for the development of the national teams.
A whirlwind tour of the FSM states of Kosrae, Pohnpei and Chuuk was aimed at assessing the current basketball situation and putting plans in place for a successful second tour later in the year.
Reporting to the FIBA Oceania office about his visit Stuart said "the biggest challenge for the FSM states is setting a calendar of events for the year and ensuring that it is followed. If we can get the calendar organised, people will know when things are happening on the development front and with national teams, and they will be able to participate. If we can achieve this there will be great advancement of basketball in the FSM."
While in FSM Stuart participated in a Sports Administration workshop organised under the ASP 2006 program. The workshop, aimed at developing a national sports policy, was attended by 28 people from the NOC, the state sports councils, the department of sport & recreation and the national sporting federations.
In Guam, Stuart discussed preparations for the Micronesian Basketball Tournament which will be hosted by Guam later this year. Plans for the tournament are progressing very well under the direction of Frank Calvo. Fundraising is a priority, with Guam Basketball offering free accommodation and meals for the participating teams.
