Basketball can only improve if players are given opportunities to play overseas, says Federation of International Basketball Association, Oceania representative Regan Kama. Kama who was at the Post Fiji Basketball Easter Championship yesterday said it was good to see that quite a few reps get to receive overseas scholarships which allows them to shine in international basketball arenas. Two of whom are Women’s national reps, Mikaelar Whippy and Valerie Nainima. Whippy was in the Long Island University team whilst Nainima is making herself a name in the sport in the United States South Carolina team. “Basketball in Fiji can only improve when kids are given opportunities, they go over make a name for themselves and come back and show younger children what they can do and what basketball can do for them.” “It’s a good thing when some get the scholarship; it’s always good to have someone to look up to.” Kama believes the standard of basketball for women in the country is a bit lower but the potential is there. “The standard in Women is a bit lower but we have some physically strong girls and that is tough to compete with and in boys they are looking a little bit short, not as tall as some but the teams are very strong and of course both are gold medallist in the Pacific games.” “Fiji has good role models like Whippy and Valerie who kids can look up to and try and move on from there.” Meanwhile in the competition yesterday, Kama said as BF officials try to step up it is also the duty of players to do the same. “BF took over the running of the Easter tournament to make it a more professional approach when they bring teams in.” “They make sure it’s FIBA run and games are on time and everyone is in uniforms.” “We make sure we get little things right now, we are getting our refs organised and some games have three person officiating , the refs are now stepping up they are refereeing games that they wouldn’t normally get to referee, so now players have to step up and look on their professional approach too.” “FIBA really wants to stress the values of Basketball, it’s not just about the game, it’s about what sort of person we are going to make afterwards.”
The Fiji Sun Newspaper
Saturday 03rd April, 2010
Last Modified on 06/04/2010 07:46
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