BASKETBALL Fiji Federation’s annual Easter competition has been cancelled with the federation to hold a smaller scale competition to raise funds to be given to the Prime Minister’s cyclone appeal.

The Federation’s assistant development officer Saula Koroi said they had been issued a directive from their president to cancel the annual event.

“I think the idea behind this is that they saw it would be inconsiderate to hold a tournament while others are still trying to get their lives back together after the cyclone. Instead we have been able to organise a smaller tournament in which all the funds raised will be contributed towards the PM’s cyclone appeal,” he said.

He added that there were 16 men’s teams and 10 women’s teams allocated spots for competition with a team from the US to arrive today.

Two foreign aid basketball teams assisting with relief efforts in the country will also be part of competition.

Koroi added that there were six spots left for the men’s division and teams from Raiwaqa not already included will have to compete for a spot today at Ed’s Court.

The Winston Appeal Basketball tournament as it is formally named will be held from March 23-26 and will be held at Ed’s Court for the first two days and at the Vodafone Arena for the latter.