The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) on Thursday announced that it has suspended all of its competitions effective Friday, March 13, in light of the coronavirus (CoViD-19) pandemic.
“Considering the current situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and in order to protect the health and safety of players, coaches, officials, and fans, FIBA today has announced that all FIBA competitions are suspended as of tomorrow, Friday, 13 March 2020,” FIBA wrote in a statement.
The world’s governing body for the sport added that it will keep monitoring the situation on a daily basis to assess whether to continue their competitions or not.
“FIBA will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and will evaluate the options for the continuation or not of the respective competitions when and if the situation allows for it.”
FIBA’s decision to suspend its competitions came after various basketball leagues across the globe have decided to put its games on hold due to the COViD-19 threat.
Postponed FIBA Asia events include the Under-16 Asia Cup and the remaining games suspended for the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Locally, the Philippine Basketball Association on Wednesday has suspended its activities — including the D-League Aspirants’ Cup and the PBA 3×3 inaugurals — until further notice.
The Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League also postponed its Division Finals.
As of March 12, there have been 125,288 confirmed cases globally, and the death toll is at 4,614, as per the World Health Organization, who declared CoViD-19 as a global pandemic Wednesday.
The Philippines, as of March 12 as well, has 52 confirmed cases and three reported deaths.
