Clark hosting of FIBA qualifiers' February window cancelled due to travel ban

The February window of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers will no longer be held in Clark, Pampanga.

In a press release on Tuesday, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) announced the cancellation of the country's hosting duties in light of the COVID-19 travel ban.

The Philippines was supposed to host games for Groups A and C of the FIBA qualifiers in a bubble setup. The games for Group B, meanwhile, were supposed to be held in Tokyo, but Japan also begged off hosting duties.

"We've constantly communicated with our partners from the National Task Force Against COVID-19 and they have informed us that there would be no longer exemptions from the current travel restrictions announced by the Department of Foreign Affairs," the SBP said.

The Philippines has imposed a travel ban on several countries in connection with the threat of a new coronavirus variant initially found in the United Kingdom.

South Korea, which belongs in Group A with the Philippines, is included in the list. Australia and Hong Kong from Group C are also affected by the ban.

—MGP, GMA News