The states squads will improve the National Team

Some people in the various Federated States of Micronesia, and maybe some of our readers, are wondering why the micronesian states are sending teams to the international basketball tournament since they are unable to win a game. The federation is trying hard to improve the game in the country and playing hard and doing their best is the much you can ask for a basketball player. Playing in the major South Pacific Tournament is already a victory for Micronesia.

Why sending a team if this team would loose every game, why spending money to send 12 players to another country if they are unable to come back with a medal? Legandary Green Bay Packer football coach Vince Lombardi is famous for his statement about how important it is to win. What most don't know is that he said the second greatest thing is to lie on the field defeated, but having given everthing, your best, in the pursuit of victory. The Olympics does not talk about winning but about participating. The federation thinks to the small FSM states team has earn a lot of experience during the Microgames and the united Micronesia national team will be much better in the upcoming tournament.
This summer, FSM Basketball Federation submitted a proposal to the country Olympic comittee outlining a plan for national men and women's teams to compete in the 2007 Pacific Games in Samoa. In the FSM Games and Micronesian Games the four states of the FSM - Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei & Yap - compete separately. It is not until the Pacific Games, or an Oceania basketball tournament, that there is the opportunity for the FSM to select national teams. It is obvious that national teams are stronger than one state team, and it provides the opportunity for the elite basketball players of our nation to experience a more competitive level of basketball. Thus, this national basketball program is the next logical step in the development of the sport.