THE growing prestige of Basketball Fiji’s Vodafone Fiji Cup Championship has attracted overseas-based Fijian basketball players eager to compete in the local tournament.
Basketball Fiji interim chief operating officer William Peters says this year’s competition will feature several overseas-based players of Fijian descent, a development he believes will significantly lift the level of competition.
“The prestige of the tournament is growing, and we’ve had a lot of interest from overseas players wanting to join the competition and play for a club here in the country,” Peters said.
He believes the inclusion of overseas talent will create stronger competition for local players while also improving the standard of basketball in the country.
“Like they say, iron sharpens iron. As you get players who are of a more skilled calibre coming down to compete with our local players, it only makes our local players better.”
Peters says the exposure will allow local players to test themselves against higher-level of competition and help raise their confidence and experience.
He adds that Basketball Fiji hopes the tournament will eventually attract overseas clubs as the event continues to grow.
This year’s Vodafone Fiji Cup Championship will include teams from Raiwaqa, Central, Nadi and Lautoka, with organisers expecting one of the most competitive tournaments yet.
