Israel's national basketball team could host its November games in Tel Aviv. The Israel Basketball Association is asking FIBA to bring the national team’s games back to Israel, with a significant step taken Wednesday in the form of an official request.
Israel Basketball Association Chairman Amos Frishman wrote to FIBA Europe President Jorge Garbajosa, asking him to approve Israel hosting its home games during the upcoming November window.
Israel's national basketball team
(Photo: FIBA website)
In a personal letter to Garbajosa, Frishman stressed the current stability and relative calm in the region and argued that the time has come for Israeli fans to be able to support the national team on home soil, just like supporters of other national teams across the continent.
Frishman also offered to host FIBA officials in Israel so they could see daily life in the country and the routine firsthand. He and association officials would be available to assist the visitors with any matters related to future hosting arrangements and answer any questions they may have.
The time has come for Israeli fans to be able to support the national team on home soil, just like supporters of other national teams across the continent
Garbajosa responded promptly. The FIBA Europe president clarified that the authority to decide on World Cup qualifying games rests with FIBA’s Executive Committee, known as the ExCo.
Garbajosa pledged to place Frishman’s request on the agenda for the committee’s next meeting, which is expected to take place as early as next week, and to provide an update immediately afterward.
The Israel Basketball Association hopes the discussion next week will bring positive news and end the period of “exile” for Israeli national teams’ home games in European competition. The national team last played at home more than three years ago, in February 2023.