Basketball Ireland are immediately suspending all competitions under there jurisdiction due to the ongoing health crisis surrounding COVID-19 in Ireland.
The virus claimed its first life in Ireland today, with a woman dying in the east of the country.
A number of sporting events worldwide have been affected by the spread of the coronavirus. Serie A have suspended all matches until at least next month, while games in Spain, France, and Germany are being played behind closed doors. Ireland's Euro 2020 play-off in Bratislava will also be played without spectators.
This trend has now spread to Ireland, with Basketball Ireland deciding to postpone all upcoming fixtures.
In a statement released this evening, they said that the health and safety of the public was the key focus in making this decision:
Basketball Ireland continues to closely monitor the coronavirus outbreak and the advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team, the HSE, and the WHO.
The health and safety of the Basketball Ireland community is our priority and we are determined to be proactive regarding precautions to limit the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Basketball Ireland is therefore instructing all affiliates to suspend all basketball competitions and events with immediate effect.
We understand that this decision will result in inconvenience and disappointment to many players, coaches, officials, volunteers and supporters, particularly at this time when various competitions are reaching their concluding stages.
However, we are sure that all will understand that the decision is taken in the best interests, not just of the basketball community, but also family, friends and the wider community.
The situation is rapidly changing and we will continue to monitor developments on a day-to- day basis. Further updates will be issued on a regular basis over the coming weeks.
This is unlikely to be the only postponements we see in Ireland. The FAI have already met to discuss how the League of Ireland could be affected, with other organisations likely to follow suit in the coming days and weeks.
