BEIRUT (Lebanon) - The FIBA Regional Office-Asia successfully organized two separate Sports Performance Specialist (SPS) courses in developing basketball countries recently.

A Level 2 SPS program was held in Male, Maldives, on December 8–10, before a two-day Level 1 session was done a few days later in Chennai, India, on December 12–13.

Made possible in cooperation with the Maldives Basketball Association (MBA), a total of 16 participants attentively took part in the course held at the Maldivian capital.

"This course was by far the most eye-opening course for strength and conditioning. I thoroughly enjoyed it," said Mohamed Mazeen Abdulla, an attendee. "The coach was very helpful and knowledgeable, so it was a great learning experience. It would be great to have Level 3 soon.”

Another participant in Ali Mamdooh offered: “This program provides valuable insights into strength and conditioning, offering numerous ideas for coaching implementation. It's a commendable initiative by FIBA, and we look forward to future programs of a similar nature.”

Meanwhile, 25 participants were present in the course held in the Indian city, which was made possible in partnership with the Basketball Federation of India (BFI).

"I learned a lot of various techniques. We were shared all the step and sequences and were taught about strength and conditioning properly and effectively," said Subhashree Sahoo, an attendee. "I will follow the same and pass on these techniques to other players and coaches."

A fellow participant in Borish Achom said: "I will implement all the exercises taught to us to my local team, which I know will be a lot of help in improving their basketball potential.”

The SPS program aims to equip coaches, athletes, and stakeholders with the knowledge and skills to improve athletic capabilities and prevent injuries in basketball.

The FIBA Regional Office-Asia has been active in organizing SPS Level 2 courses in 2023. It already has some in Iraq, Kuwait, Mongolia, Bahrain, Kazakhstan, and Saudi Arabia.

Taught through theoretical and practical sessions, the SPS program is part of FIBA’s initiative to strengthen the local coaches' physical training skills and promote strength and conditioning in basketball, which greatly contributes in the quality of basketball.

FIBA