"Unrealistic" restrictions force cancellation of basketball tournament

"The actions of a few teenagers in the community are unfairly used to stereotype the vast majority who do what is right."

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The council wrote that the tournaments had been held for 15 years and constituted "a huge part of the solution to the problems of youth" and that it was "counterproductive not to have them".

A spokesman for Basketball Victoria confirmed that strict restrictions – which are not required for other basketball tournaments held in that state – had been placed in the summer.

"Due to external restrictions imposed on the event, the South Sudanese Basketball Association was not able to respond to these demands and subsequently hosted the slam of the Summer of 2018, "said a spokesman.

"Victoria Basketball has worked diligently with SSANBA and other stakeholders to find a suitable venue to host the slam of summer 2018. Our staff has collaborated with various councils and authorities to ensure that SSANBA, its players, his coaches and the entire community the opportunity to participate in the tournament.

"Unfortunately, this was not possible because of the severity of the external restrictions imposed on this event."

The spokesman said the restrictions included notification of surrounding residents of the event, the payment of a bus to bring in and out all participants, maintaining a number of people. limited hours on the day and creating plans to avoid crowd buildup.

"These are barely required requirements for other Victorian basketball tournaments and rarely required in the entire sports community," said a Basketball Victoria spokesman.

Last year, it turned out that a wild Airbnb party was taking place on a property rented by girls who participated in last December's Slam basketball tournament organized by SSANBA.

Two years earlier, a man was stabbed at Kananook Station after a fight broke out in the Frankston Basketball Center parking lot during the Summer Slam competition.

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In July, Malcolm Turnbull, then Prime Minister, said in Melbourne that "Sudanese gangs" were causing "real concern" and that colleagues had claimed that residents were afraid to go to dinner because street crimes.

His remarks, however, drew angry reproaches from Victoria's African leaders, who accused Turnbull of using the South Sudanese Diaspora as a "political football".

The National Clbadic, which normally takes place in July, was canceled this year after Basketball Victoria conducted a risk badessment and determined that the safety and security protocols were not up to standard.

However, the organization announced Tuesday that it would continue to work with SSANBA next year to eventually include teams in the Eltham-Dandenong tournament in January.

Last year's summer season was held at Eagle Stadium in Werribee. However, Wyndham City Council said after the protest, it would not be held at the same location this year as a result of complaints from residents.

Wyndham City Council Mayor Peter Maynard was contacted for a comment.