Indian girls forced to miss out on FIBA Asia Cup participation, AGAIN!?
After having to skip the 2023 U16 Asian Championship due to administrative issues, it is now the turn of the U18 ballers to lose out on representing India internationally
In a big blow to the country’s top U18 women’s basketball players, it is reliably learnt that India will not be taking part in the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup 2024 - Division B - that will be held from June 24 to 30 in Shenzhen, China.
Having finished last in Division A at the 2022 edition, it was expected that India would automatically secure the relegation spot in this year’s Division B competition.
Maldives to represent South Asia
Instead, South Asia will now be represented by Maldives - on account of the latter having apparently “registered first”.
It is unclear when and on what basis this “first come first serve” rule has come into force, considering that in the absence of South Asian Qualifiers in the women’s section, Indian teams have always secured qualification in the continental championships, by virtue of being the highest ranked side in the region.
As per the latest FIBA rankings (combined rankings for U16 - U19) as on 1 Dec 2023, Indian girls are ranked 8th in Asia (and 45th in the World), while Maldives is 27th in Asia (and 96th in the World).
Indian girls’ second straight absence
It is understood that India’s inability to participate in the 2023 U16 Women’s Asian Championship might have been a factor that worked against India’s favour this time around.
But whatever be the reason, the same generation of Indian girls continue to unduly suffer for no fault of theirs - first by missing out on representing the country in 2023 in the U16 division, and now in 2024 at the U18 level. Such consecutive international absences at a crucial stage in their basketball development trajectories (at a time when they are transitioning from high school to college/pros) seriously impacts their educational and career opportunities.
India’s national basketball federation will do well to resolve the issue of the country’s continued non-participation with FIBA Asia, especially considering the latter is currently headed by a fellow countryman.
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