FIJI'S men's and women's under-18 teams are continuing with their preparations for the upcoming 2016 U18 Oceania Basketball Championship to be held in Suva from December 4-11.

According to an article on the Basketball Federation of Fiji (FIBA) website the top eight U18 men's and women's teams from around the Oceanic region are expected to participate in the event.

They would compete for a chance to play in the 2017 U19 World Championships and they would be competing for the single qualification spot available in each of the men's and women's categories.

It also stated that and estimated number of 345,978 viewers are expected to be tuning in to watch the completion. Also it would provide exposure for Fiji to the basketball world as a possible destination for future international basketball tournaments.

BF chief operating officer Laisiasa Puamau said they had started with preparation of their U18 men's and women's teams.

"The national team managers are working very hard to identify the best players to represent Fiji in December," Puamau said.

He said both teams had been preparing for the past three months. The women's team would have the services of the three U18 reps who played against China's U18 women's team a few weeks ago.

"We have players like Tiana Kainamoli, Bitila Tawake and Fane Rokowailoa also training with the squad."

He said both the men's coach Manoa Puamau and the women's coach Esava Banuve had been working hard with their teams.

Source: The Fiji Times Newspaper

Monday 3rd October 2016