SUVA, Fiji. 13 September2016: Over 150 emerging athletes are set to converge in the Fijian capital city on 4 December for the 2016 FIBA U18 Oceania Basketball Championships.

Representing the top eight countries in the Oceania region, the U18 national men’s and women’s teams will compete to qualify for a place in the biennial U19 World Championships in Egypt and Italynext year. The official teams for Australia, Fiji, Guam, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tahiti are expected to be announced on 17 October following national trials scheduled in each country.  

The 2016 FIBA U18 Oceania Basketball Championships provides an opportunity for the regions most talented athletes to gain international exposure; and is expected to attract over 8,000 people over the 6 days of competition at the Vodafone Arena including tourists, secondary school basketball players and sports enthusiasts. 

The event is expected to be broadcasted on television across the Oceania region and will also be made available via live stream with an estimated international audience of 350,000 viewers.

In preparation, Basketball Fiji held a two day capacity building training to enhance the technical understanding of Fijian referees to ensure that officiating at the championship meets International Basketball Federation standards.

Sanctioned by the International Basketball Federation, the 2016 FIBA U18 Oceania Basketball Championships is organized by Basketball Fiji with support from the Fijian Ministry of Youth and Sports, FIBA in Oceania, University of the South Pacific, Beyond Limits Known (BLK),