BFI: New FIBA rules to be implemented by May, 2019

Coaches, players and technical officials aren’t yet abreast with the intricacies of the changes, admits Norman Isaac, the BFI Technical Commission Chairman.

P. V. Sivakumar says there are about 10 rule changes of which five can have a direct impact on the game.

After the international federation (FIBA) had made some changes to the basketball rules and implemented the same in October, 2018, it was surprising that the national federation — the Basketball Federation of India (BFI) — is still discussing its incorporation.

A clinic to tutor the technical officials, coaches and players of the new rules was held here on Wednesday. The BFI could have well implemented the rules in a premier championship like the senior Nationals as it had done in the past.

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“In the World Cup qualifiers windows which is happening, the rules have been implemented, but in India it is difficult to start as not many coaches, players or technical officials understand the intricacies of the changes and the interpretation and implementation of the rules. This can only create confusion,” said Norman Isaac, the BFI Technical Commission Chairman.

Avoiding confusion

According to Isaac, BFI usually conducts a clinic in the senior Nationals and implements the same in the next immediate major championship. “The reason for the wait is to ensure that there is a proper understanding and uniformity to avoid any confusion and, with it, help in the smooth running of the championships.”

Norman, who is also a FIBA technical delegate, said there are about 10 rule changes of which five can have a direct impact on the game, such a Throw-in and Dribbling.

The new set of rules will be implemented before May, 2019, announced Norman.