Date set for National Basketball Team’s Tribunal

The COCABA games played in Cancun, Mexico almost a month ago and memories are still vivid as the national basketball team, Belizean Heritage, beat all the Central American teams and came short of the gold on the last seconds of a tight game with Mexico. The team came home to a hero’s welcome as silver medalists. But that trophy may mean nothing if FIBA has its way. By August thirty-first, the Belize Basketball Federation submitted its position to the International Court of Sports in Switzerland in regards to FIBA’s challenge of the heritage of the players. Today FIBA met its deadline and responded to Belize’s submissions. But a hearing in Switzerland will determine whether the Belize team will keep the silver and go on to the second round to qualify for the 2012 Olympics. That tribunal is set for September fourteenth and Belize will be represented by attorney, Godfrey Smith. According to President of the B.B.F., Paul Thompson, a ruling is expected approximately one week after the hearing.