MAJURO (Marshall Islands) - FIBA Oceania Board Member Jubilee Kuartei visited the Marshall Islands to conduct a series of referee and table official clinics in preparation for the Marshall Islands Basketball Federation's (MIBF) Ralik Ratak National Basketball Tournament.

MIBF Secretary-General Deborah Shoniber and Kuartei organized the clinic through their meeting in the FIBA World Congress in Beijing, China last month.

"We started talking about the possibility of the clinics two months ago and our president learned that Jubilee is coming to conduct OSEP training in our country," shared Shoniber. "When we met in China, we asked for help from FIBA Oceania to help us organize the trip and the stars aligned because we were able to make it work."

Kuartei for her part was more than inclined to provide the necessary help needed to organize the clinic and help prepare MIBF for their national basketball tournament.

"I already conducted clinics in 2017 here in the Marshall Islands so when the opportunity presented itself again I said yes immediately because that's how we work in the Pacific, we help each  other out in any way we can," Kuartei said

MIBF organized the clinics at the College of Marshall Islands and Schoniber excitedly shared the participant's enthusiasm and a keen sense of learning in the clinics.

"It was engaging and productive sessions for the clinics because everyone was comfortable with Jubilee and her style of teaching. We had over 20 participants and everyone was asking questions which is a good surprise for us," said Shoniber.

In preparation for the Ralik Ratak National Basketball Tournament, Kuartei was also invited in their technical meeting which produced quality discussions in terms of improving the standard of professionalism in their tournament.

"I was also invited to partake in their technical tournament and there are a lot of things we introduced that would improve the technical side of the tournament. We introduced the policies used in the Pacific Games and Micronesian Games including the codes of conduct and oath of athletes," shared Kuartei.

"It was a very productive meeting with everyone involved and the willingness to learn is a very positive sign for the growth of Marshall Islands basketball. There are a lot of realizations that I have learned too and bring back to Palau for our development as well," she added.

In conclusion, both Shoniber and Kuartei agreed that the visit was a massive success and believes that the exchange of information will further enhance the continued development of basketball in the region.

"I believe we've made huge progress in terms standardizing the quality of tournaments in the Marshall Islands and hope we continue all the good work we've done this weekend and apply it in the tournament," said Kaurtei.

"I want to thank Annie LaFleur for helping out in the logistics, to David Crocker for making this possible and Basketball Australia for all the equipment they shared to MIBF," she ended.

FIBA