In a real coup for basketball in this country, Canada had secured the rights to host one of four last-chance men’s Olympic basketball qualifers this summer in advance of the Tokyo Games.
The COC’s decision to pull Canada from the Games as they are currently scheduled puts that in jeopardy.
Canada Basketball released the following statement regarding that qualifying tournament’s future:
“Canada Basketball and Friends of Victoria Basketball remain committed to hosting the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Victoria when details related to the timing of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have been confirmed. When tournament details are finalized, Friends of Victoria Basketball will provide ticket holders with options for refunds, if necessary
“At this time, there is no further information available regarding the tournament and to speculate on potential changes at this point would be counterproductive.“
“First and foremost, the health and safety of our communities across the Capital Region is paramount to everyone involved with Friends of Victoria Basketball,” said Clint Hamilton, Chair, Friends of Victoria Basketball. “We remain in daily contact with Canada Basketball and will continue to provide regular updates to ticket holders and partners as new information comes to light. When we began planning to bring the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament to Victoria, we did so to bring a world-class basketball tournament to our region and to unify our community in so doing, and that remains our goal today.”
In a related development, The Northern Showcase, an exhibition game scheduled for June 12 in Hamilton pitting the Canadian Senior Men’s National Team against a Canadian Elite Basketball League Select team has been postponed. A make-up date will be determined at a future time.
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