IPINAG-UTOS ng International Basketball Federation (FIBA) sa Indonesia na ituloy ang pagho-host sa opening window ng Asia Cup qualifiers, kabilang na rito ang nakatakdang laro kontra Gilas Pilipinas sa Pebrero 23.
Ito ang naging tugon ng FIBA sa kahilingan ng Indonesian Basketball Association (IBA) na i-postpone at i-reschedule ang dalawang qualifying games na iho-host ng naturang bansa, Peb. 20 kontra South Korea at Peb. 23 laban sa Pilipinas, dahil sa pangamba sa worldwide outbreak ng Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Iginiit ni FIBA Executive Director for Asia Hagop Khajirian sa kanyang ipinadalang liham sa IBA nitong Peb. 17, “there exist no exceptional circumstances warranting the postponement of the Games.”
Batid umano ng FIBA na gusto lamang ng IBA na protektahan ang kalusugan at kaligtasan ng mga player at iba pang participants, lalo’t mismong Indonesian Ministry of Youth and Sports ang humiling nito.
Ngunit ipinunto rin ng FIBA na nakasaad mismo sa sulat ng Indonesian Ministry of Health na ang talagang pokus ng request ay yung “travel to and from the mainland China,” at hindi yung magmumula sa South Korea at Philippines.
“Indeed, as noted in the letter, there is no travel warning or ban of citizens or persons travelling from South Korea or the Philippines at this time,” ayon pa sa liham. “Moreover, Indonesia has no reported cases of COVID-19.”
Binanggit din ng FIBA na walang aksyon ang Indonesian government para i-ban ang ibang mass gatherings, maging ang ibang international at sporting events na gaganapin sa mga darating na linggo sa nasabing bansa.
Pinaalala pa ng FIBA sa IBA na bilang national member federation, obligado itong mag-participate sa official international activities and competitions.
“Should IBA fail to adhere to its obligations, specifically through the failure to host the Games, it shall be liable to sanction in accordance to FIBA Internal Regulations,” babala ng FIBA.
“It must be underscored that refusal to play the Games would also result in a forfeit, along with the applicable penalties,” dagdag nito.
Nauna nang kinansela ng FIBA ang Peb. 20 hosting ng Pilipinas kontra Thailand dahil pa rin sa coronavirus outbreak.
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