Solomon Islands Basketball Federation

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SOLOMON Islands Basketball Federation is organising an All Star Tournament from 1 to 8 November 2009.

Organisers said the All Star competition will feature the very best players in the Honiara Basketball League in a three game series.

A Solomon Islands Basketball Federation spokesperson explained: "Game one in the All Star tournament will be played on the 1st, then game 2 on the 4th and finally game 3 on the 8 November 2009.

“The winner of the tournament will be the team with the highest number of wins in the series. So to win you must win two of the three games."

The tournament will feature men and women's All Star teams with the players recruited for the Under-19 training camp also earmarked for possible friendly encounter.

Each series will be a whole day event except the midweek game on Wednesday.

"We will incorporate a few fun activities into the day's program. Obviously, half time entertainment and skills challenges will be featured prominently.

“Suggestions have been made to include a basketball gallery where you can come and learn about basketball.

“We will soon go to our FM stations to promote basketball with Basketball Trivia, short simple questions that callers can call into the FM Stations to answer and win tickets to watch the All Star Tournament."

A proposal has already been made to start the Solomon Islands Basketball Hall Of Fame.

"Some of our players are keen to recognize the founding fathers of basketball in the country.

“A Hall of Fame will be the perfect place to induct these people and when basketball finally gets its permanent home, the Hall of Fame will become a permanent feature of that arena.

“We are strongly considering the possibility of inducting our first nominees into the Hall of Fame during the All Star Tournament."

The SIBF will shortly release its program for the tournament on all media outlets including announcements on the Internet on social networking website, Lifhaus (www.lifhaus.com.sb).

Negotiations are also underway to revive the Our Telekom Easter Challenge website to host all SIBF news and announcements for this tournament.

SIBF has also appointed Alex Mataki as the overall director of this tournament. "Alex is being supported by a strong team of young basketball minds who are working really hard to bring to the Honiara community a day of quality entertainment." Coaches have been appointed for each All Star Team with the West Honiara All Stars to be coached by SIBF President Don Boykin. The East

Honiara All Stars will be coached by Willie Sade. "The rivalry is already in play but all players in each team will be expected to abide by strict guidelines regarding conduct, sportsmanship and commitment."

A team of selectors have already selected players for each teams based on a set of specific criteria put up by the organizers. "One of the important criteria is commitment to basketball. You can be a brilliant player but if you have a relaxed, no care attitude to the game; you might not get selected. We are looking for the consummate basketball player."

A tentative list of players selected into East and West Honiara All Star teams has already been made and an announcement is expected soon.

New SIBF President Don Boykin also revealed: "I inherited a basketball federation with no money but the basketball fraternity is not going to sit down and wait, we have a large team of volunteers already on the move exploring opportunities basketball can tap into to develop this great game."

The All Star Tournament will be the start of a series of events and efforts organized by the federation to get it back into a strong financial position and spark the inevitable growth and development in the sport.

"We are doing things differently and most people will have issues with how things are done.

But change is imperative and change must occur for basketball in the Solomon Islands."