Scotland - Basketball row averted
It seems that one potential controversy to threaten Glasgow's smooth-running Commonwealth Games bid will not come to pass. Basketball Scotland, upset that the game is not included in Glasgow's proposed programme for 2014, had threatened to support one of the rival bids, either Halifax or Abuja, if the Canadians or Nigerians included basketball on theirs
From sport.scotsman.com
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It seems that one potential controversy to threaten Glasgow's smooth-running Commonwealth Games bid will not come to pass. Basketball Scotland, upset that the game is not included in Glasgow's proposed programme for 2014, had threatened to support one of the rival bids, either Halifax or Abuja, if the Canadians or Nigerians included basketball on theirs.
On Friday, Halifax revealed its sports programme. And as it happens, it does include basketball. But the embarrassment of a Scottish governing body lobbying against Glasgow will be averted, after Basketball Scotland decided, at a recent board meeting, not to carry out its threat.The body has opted to keep a dignified silence, which could upset the international basketball federation (FIBA), which is keen for governing bodies to support bids with basketball.
Other than basketball, Halifax's list of 17 sports is identical to Glasgow's list of 17 sports. And here it definitely is a case of the national interest prevailing, with judo, a medals banker for Scotland, included in Glasgow's programme and making way for Canada's national game, basketball, in Halifax.
Meanwhile, members of the Glasgow 2014 team leave today for Africa and a ten-day mission to present the bid and garner support. In a last minute change to the itinerary, Sierra Leone has had to be dropped. Logistical issues meant that a visit to the poverty-stricken country, which is rife with corruption and beset by tribal rivalry, would have meant the delegates staying for no fewer than six days. In the best interests of all concerned it was decided to give Sierra Leone a body-swerve.