PHOENIX (FIBA U16 African Championship 2017) – For the first time ever, the tiny country of Mauritius will field a team at the FIBA U16 African Championship, when the island nation hosts the event from July 13-22. 

While the challenge may seem like a mountain to climb, the team’s coach, Christophe Saubestre, is positive that his side will be ready once the event gets underway.

The Frenchman took charge of the team more than a year ago. The vast majority of its players are part of the youth elite from the national basketball centre (CNFBB), a training and development program implemented by the Mauritius Basketball Federation.

"It has been quite a journey with the lads, getting them to forget what they knew about the game and learning something entirely new about it," said Saubestre.

The journey started as something completely new for the young boys. However, as the objective draws nearer, the motivation  and pressure - even though Saubestre does not call it by its name - keep on increasing.

"It's not about being ready for the D-day. It is about being ready for the tournament," he said.

This quest for excellence has seen the 11-man squad board a plane to hold training camps in nearby Reunion Island, a French territory known for having the best training and development programs in the Indian Ocean Region.

They have seen what it takes to be at the top level of the game. They came back to Mauritius with much more experience than they would have acquired here." - Saubestre

The squad has played five games against the U17 Reunion side and Tampon BC in January.

"The aim was to have some game time and have the players gain new skills and techniques. They have come back to Mauritius with a new mindset," Saubestre explained.

Before that, the squad had entered the local league, playing in National Division 1, just below the country's elite Super League. This eight-month competition gave Saubestre an overview of the team's strength and weaknesses.

"By giving them some competition, it meant they got more game time. Although we did not top the league, they have shown signs of progress in their skills and techniques," Saubestre added.

In April, the 11-man squad reached a new milestone. The team took part in a training camp with the French regional teams of Orleans and Tours, for nearly two weeks.

There, they witnessed what it takes to be on a high level-side, according to the coach.

"They have seen what it takes to be at the top level of the game. They came back to Mauritius with much more experience than they would have acquired here," said the play caller.

Saubestre knows the team has an important stretch leading up to the tournament.

"We will face teams such as Mali, Tunisia and even Angola. We are confident about playing our best basketball. These teams are known to produce high-level basketball. But I am confident that our squad will be ready," he said.

FIBA