2023-07-22 01:01:34
The news fell Thursday, July 20. The Cagous rugby players will not fly to the Solomons next November. Same thing for the women’s basketball team in 5×5. Its players will not go to the Pacific Games. A decision taken by the CTOS. On the side of the basketball league, misunderstanding reigns.
Stephanie Chenais (Alix Madec) • Published on July 22, 2023 at 12:01 p.m., updated on July 22, 2023 at 12:07 p.m.
Hard blow for the women’s basketball team in 5×5. The Cagoues players will not go to the Solomons for the 2023 Pacific Games.
Last October, the women’s team came 3rd out of 4, during the Melanesian Cup, the qualifying event for the Games. But the league still managed to land a “wild card”. A privileged invitation.
Problem: the CTOS believes that the team is not competitive enough. A decision that caused a strong reaction. “We find this an unacceptable decision. We will try to challenge it“, launches Thierry Durand, president of the basketball league of New Caledonia.
“Is the CTOS against the development of women’s sport?“, asks Thierry Durand. “It’s something that affects everyone, because we’re really into the development of women’s sports right now.“.
In 2019, the New Caledonians finished last at the Pacific Games in Samoa. The league then put in place a development plan for the discipline. “There, the CTOS makes no effort. We have the support of our international federation. They came here, to discuss with the CTOS, so that we could leave. Because they believe in our development“, continues the president of the league.
“It is certain that they are not among the favorites for the medal. We told the CTOS, “we’re not going to hide from you that we’re not going to get a medal”. But they must have experience. And games are an experience“, insists Thierry Durand.
The league also ensures that there will be financial fallout after this decision. “Our non-participation will result in a financial penalty. All our teams will no longer be able to participate in International Basketball Federation events“.
For their part, the CTOS officials will speak officially after the presidential visit. But the committee ensures that this decision was taken for sporting reasons.
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