This Feb. 23, 2020, file photo shows empty stadium seats during the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers group A basketball game between South Korea and Thailand in Seoul, South Korea. The basketball game was held without spectators as a precaution against the COVID-19. (Hong Hae-in/Yonhap via AP, File)
MANILA, Philippines—Fiba announced that it would suspend all its competitions starting Friday amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Considering the current situation with the Coronavirus [Covid-19] outbreak and in order to protect the health and safety of our players, coaches, officials, and fans, Fiba today has announced that all Fiba competitions are suspended tomorrow, Friday, 13 March 2020,” said Fiba on its official website late Thursday evening (Manila time).
Fiba has several scheduled events in 2020 including the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers that the Philippines are playing in.
There’s also the Olympic Qualifying Tournament for 3×3 that Gilas Pilipinas was scheduled to play in.
Nevertheless, Fiba’s decision coincided with several leagues’ announcements to suspend competition including the NBA, UEFA, Premier League, Serie A, and Ligue 1.
“Fiba will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and will evaluate the options for the continuation or not of the respective competitions when and if the situation allows for it,” said the organization.
The World Health Organization classified Covid-19 as a pandemic after it affected at least 110 countries.