Your Weekly Dose of FIBA Africa Zone 7 News: The Indian Ocean is buzzing with the announcement of the sports that will be listed at the 2027 Indian Ocean Island in Comoros. Madagascar's inaugural All-Step Tournament tipped off this week. The Mauritius Basketball Federation sets up committee for its National Training Center.
Last Updated on
April 4, 2024
Jonathan Oriant
Staff Writer
Basketball fans across the Indian Ocean were met with disappointing news this past week as the organising committee for the 2027 Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG) unveiled a list of 14 sporting disciplines.
Unlike the previous year's Madagascan-hosted event, which included men's and women's 3x3 basketball tournaments, the upcoming games will feature only a 5x5 tournament. This decision now raises the question: will any nation advocate for the inclusion of 3x3 basketball in future IOIG events?
Madagascar is set to host its inaugural inter-high school basketball tournament, the All-Step. This tournament is designed for male and female students and is open to all high schools in the country.
A technical meeting has already occurred, and each student must confirm their enrollment by presenting their student ID. Additionally, organisers have included a 3x3 tournament, which will tip off during the Final Phase of the event. Schools are allowed to register up to 15 players for their teams.
Madagascar is set to make its presence felt at the upcoming 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup, scheduled for June 29th to July 7th in Turkey. FIBA referee Yann Vezo Davidson, hailing from Madagascar and recently shortlisted among the Top 40 referees for the 2024 Paris Olympics, will have the opportunity to demonstrate his exceptional basketball knowledge, decision-making skills, and other attributes at the U17 World Cup. This event serves as a stepping stone towards earning a spot at the prestigious games in the French capital in August.
Mauritius is witnessing a significant shift in its approach to basketball training and development as the local federation announces the establishment of its upcoming National Training Center. Hedjaz Aukbarally, previously involved in the organising committee of the 2019 Indian Ocean Island Games, has been appointed as the board's chairperson. His primary objective is to recruit an expert to oversee operations at the training facility.
The managing committee includes esteemed figures such as former national coach Rubin Batterie, former national team members Corinne Marguerite and Corinne Saumoroo, current women’s team member Caroline Adeline, and youth coach Gregory Batterie.
