June decision on ‘wild card’ entry

Press, 16 February 1984, Page 32

June decision on ‘wild card’ entry

New Zealand will have to wait until June for a decision on a “wild card” invitation for the New Zealand men’s team to compete in the 1986 world championships in Spain. The executive director of the New Zealand Federation, Mr Joe McLeod, of Christchurch, was told yesterday by the secretarygeneral of the Oceania Basketball Confederation, Mr Al Ramsay, of Australia, that the question on three “wild card” entries for the championships was briefly discussed at the end of last week’s meeting of the international federation in Munich. Mr McLeod considers the delay in the decision will benefit New Zealand’s case.

“We presented our case to Spain last year, and now before the next meeting of the international federation in June we will again approach Spain,” he said. ’“This time our case is stronger as New Zealand has since won an international tournament in Japan.” © Mr Robin Milligan, of Christchurch, is likely to be included in the panel of referees for the women’s pre-Olympic Games qualifying tournament in Cuba between May 5 and May 16. F.1.8.A., the world-control-ling body, yesterday asked the New Zealand Basketball Federation for Mr Milligan’s qualifications with a view to inviting him to officiate in Cuba.