The International Association of Federation Basketball (FIBA) Americas via its Zone Board has enacted several changes to their youth tournament qualifying systems and as such, simplifying and making it easier for smaller members such as Guyana to qualify for Centrobasket championships.
This was revealed by an official correspondence on April 24th signed by FIBA Americas President Carol Callan and Executive Director Carlos Alves, following the staging of an official video conference. Several other decisions were also taken, as FIBA adjusted their tournament calendar due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the release, the Zone Board, approved the implementation of a New Competition System for the Sub-Zone of CONCENCABA beginning in 2021. This decision simplified the qualification process for the Centrobasket events by unifying the two sub-zonal youth competitions.
The released revealed, “The new competition system simplifies the qualification process for the Centrobasket by unifying the Sub-Sub Zones Youth Competitions under the following qualifying format: Based on last results and current rankings, two (2) National Federations from each Sub-Sub Zone (CBC & COCABA) will be qualified directly for the Centrobaskets for the four (4) year cycle. For the current cycle, the National Federations of Mexico (if in compliance), Panama (from Cocaba), and, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico (from CBC) will qualify directly to the Centrobasket. The rest of the National Federations will participate in the newly created Centrobasket Qualifying Tournament for four (4) spots in the respective Centrobasket (U15/U17).”
Junior Hercules, National Men’s Head-coach during an invited comment said, “The Top two Federations for 2021 from Both (CBC & COCABA) will be an automatic qualifier for Centrobasket for a period/cycle of four years. If Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation had finished 1 or 2 in CBC (U15/17) they would have enjoyed an automatic qualifier for a four-year period. The category in question is under 15/17. Guyana, however, will not be a beneficiary of the automatic qualifier for the U15/17 2021 because GABF did not finish in the top two federations in CBC U15/17 for the current period. Going forward however if Guyana is able to finish top two in the category in question Guyana will enjoy a four-year automatic qualification for the four-year cycle (Centro basketball).”
Hercules, who also holds the portfolio of GABF National coordinator further added, “For 2021 Guyana, however, will be offered an opportunity to participate in a Centro Qualifying tournament for the four 4 (spot). Currently, we are unable to confirm participating countries in this zone. If Guyana finishes top three in Centrobasket we will qualify for FIBA Americas Championships (U16/U18).”
