This was the analysis made by visiting FIBA Sports Director, Mr. Lubomir Kotleba who flew into the country last week for a short visit.

Mr. Kotleba explained that apart from the natural skills and athletic ability Solomon Islanders poses in basketball, the future of Solomon Islands basketball depends on developing the right kind of programs.

He added that having the infrastructure in place to support basketball programs and receiving good support from the public towards basketball not only as a sport, but as an activity that can improve the wellbeing of Solomon Islanders regarding their health, status and being good citizens of this country, is paramount to its overall success.

He made these comments last week after expressing his keen interest in finding more about basketball in Solomon Islands and how FIBA (International Basketball Federation) can help support its development in the country.

“I have just returned from the Pacific Basketball Championships in New Zealand and was told that Solomon Islands could not compete due to various reasons”, Kotleba explained.

“However with what I’ve seen so far and heard from my other colleagues, I am sure that with the right type of approach in terms of training and developing programs targeting younger players, a lot can improve within time, and I assure you that you will be ready challenge your Pacific neighbours”, he added.

Mr. Kotleba said that the region (and the world) is moving on with basketball and Solomon Islands must not be left behind.

Kotleba also addressed the national men’s training squad after last week and encouraged them to be ambassadors of the sport by promoting the game all over the country, especially to the younger generation.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary to the Solomon Islands Basketball Federation (SIBF), Mr. Uriel Matanani said in a statement that the country is privileged to have the FIBA Sports Director coming here personally to analyse and show support towards the development of basketball.

Matanani said that after holding meetings with Kotleba last week, links with FIBA Oceania, FIBA main office in Europe (i.e. FIBA Sport & Development), the National Olympic Committee of Solomon Islands (NOCSI) and other sporting authorities in the country have been strengthened and there is great optimism about the future of the sport.

He said the administration and management of SIBF were boosted with the FIBA Sports Directors pledge to help support the country by means of technical assistance and other forms of training support commencing in 2014.

“We are happy that various developmental opportunities have been clearly identified to us and it is now up to the current basketball executives to really start putting things together and tap into these resources”, Matanani explained.

“We are at a cross road where Solomon Islands basketball has been recognized in the past and therefore to maintain our status as a basketball nation going forward, we must work harder to re-ignite interest back into the sport all over our country”.

SIBF officially thanked Mr. Kotleba for choosing Solomon Islands as his last stop in the region before travelling back to Switzerland and conveyed their greetings to the FIBA Family, especially the FIBA Eligibility & Development team.

The National Basketball Development Officer and SIBF General Secretary said.

“It was an honour to meet the FIBA Sports Director in person and his invaluable advice and support for the development of basketball in the country, is greatly appreciated”.