Kathmandu, September 8

FIBA Executive Director for Asia Hagop Khajirian said Nepal needed to work hard to uplift the level of basketball in the country.

Khajirian, who was here to meet the Nepal Basketball Association officials to discuss about the future plans and programmes, said the association needed to work lot in administrative level for the betterment of the sport. “They also need to involve former players for the purpose and they should organise events as well as take part in different tournaments. The association also needs to develop the sport in school level,” said Khajirian.

Khajarian, who is from Lebanon, added that the South Asian Basketball

Association needed to be more organised and should work in the administrative level to develop the game in the region.

He said that International Basketball Federation was supporting Nepal through coaches and referees clinics. “We have been organising clinics to develop the skills of coaches and referees,” added Khajirian, who will formulate future plans after taking stock from representatives from all the member associations of the regions.

Khajirian, who also watched the U-16 SABA Basketball Championship match between Nepal and India here at the National Sports Council covered hall, said such tournaments would be helpful for the development of the game.

“Playing basketball at this age is good as young players are doing their best. The tournament is itself a great opportunity to develop the level of basketball in the region,” added Khajirian, who was the member of Lebanon’s Homenetmen Club in his playing career. As a coach Khajirian looked after Lebanon women’s national team from 1993-1997.