Sport: Micronesian Games change basketball eligibility rules

For the first time ever the Micronesian Games basketball competition will follow international eligibility rules.

The change was approved last week, with a vote of six-to-one in favour by basketball federations in the Micronesian region.

Eligibility to play on a sports team in the region had previously been subject to a seven-year residency requirement for non-Micronesians and a three-year residency term for islanders.

This was primarily in force to prevent Guam from stocking its team with American military players living in the territory for short periods at one of the US military bases on the island.

However FIBA international rules only require a player to be a citizen and passport holder of the country they are representing.

This would prevent an FSM or Palau citizen from playing on a Marshall Islands team and also will allow Guam and the Northern Marianas to include any US passport holders on their teams regardless of duration of residency.

The Executive Director of FIBA Oceania, David Crocker, said the decision means the Yap Games in July will be the first time that FIBA eligibility rules have been applied to Micronesian Games basketball.