Following a meeting of the Men’s National Competitions Committee (MNCC), Basketball Ireland have announced that due to the Irish government's COVID-19 restrictions, the 2020/21 Men's National League season is cancelled.
The MNCC had cited several basketball leagues around Europe playing with rigorous testing in place, yet their case fell on deaf ears.
In a statement from Basketball Ireland, the MNCC felt that their case 'not been considered properly.'
Furthermore, the MNCC went onto state that 'fair play and consultation' had not occurred in the hearing of their case, coming to the conclusion that they 'are not trusted to act in a safe and responsible manner.'
The @BballIrl Men’s National Competitions Committee (MNCC) has decided it has no alternative but to cancel the 2020/21 Super League and Division One league season. Full statement below ⤵️🏀 #basketballhttps://t.co/BXsKguZ06z pic.twitter.com/jpo8Id9ALu
— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) November 28, 2020
The MNCC harbours hopes that elite level basketball in Ireland can return in the future, with a hop 'that a competition may be possible in February/March'. In the interim, they will continue to lobby political decision makers.
Basketball Ireland CEO and chair of the MNCC, Bernard O’Byrne added that Basketball Ireland had been 'ignored' by the government in their attempts to secure elite basketball for the upcoming season.
“Basketball Ireland has been lobbying government, but still have been ignored.
"It shall not stop fighting for recognition and answers from government. The MNCC feel that certainty is needed and we cannot keep our clubs, players, officials and volunteers waiting.
"We would have loved to start our season on January 9th, but we’ve been left with no choice. Basketball Ireland has been doing its utmost to help our clubs during these difficult times and it shall continue to do so."
As of yet, no decision has been made over the 2020/21 Men’s National Cup.
