Coronavirus casts doubts over Chinese Taipei, Italy participation in FIBA Olympic qualifiers

Chinese Taipei and Italy, two countries badly affected by coronavirus, are placed in Pool ‘D’ of the FIBA 3x3 Olympic basketball qualifiers.

Bengaluru's Sree Kanteerava Stadium is set to host the FIBA 3x3 Olympic basketball qualifiers from March 18.

Fears over the coronavirus has cast doubts over the participation of a few teams in the FIBA 3x3 Olympic basketball qualifying tournament, which commences at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on March 18. Chinese Taipei and Italy, two countries badly affected by coronavirus, sit alongside India, Switzerland and Spain in Pool ‘D’. Players from these two countries could face difficulties in securing visas to travel to India. As it stands now, the Indian government has placed restrictions on the entry of visitors from both Chinese Taipei and Italy.

READ | Jeena to lead India women's team at FIBA Olympic pre-qualifiers While Chinese Taipei and Italy are not competing in the men’s section, South Korea – another coronavirus-affected nation – is in the men's Pool ‘B’ alongside USA and other sides. Basketball Federation of India (BFI) Secretary-General Chander Mukhi Sharma stated that the host will take a wait and watch policy. “We have not received any official communication yet from the government. Given that the coronavirus is a serious threat, we cannot make any special exemptions for players from any nation. Every player from every foreign team will be subject to the coronavirus protocols and rules set by the Indian government," Chander said here on Monday. Six 2020 Tokyo Olympic slots (three each for men and women) are up for grabs in Bengaluru.