Coronavirus: FIBA suspends all basketball games

By Fatih Erel

ISTANBUL (AA) - All FIBA basketball competitions are suspended as of Friday due to coronavirus outbreak, the federation announced on Thursday.

"Considering the current situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and in order to protect the health and safety of players, coaches, officials and fans, FIBA today has announced that all FIBA competitions are suspended as of tomorrow, Friday, 13 March 2020," the international federation said in a statement.

"FIBA will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis and will evaluate the options for the continuation or not of the respective competitions when and if the situation allows for it," it added.

As the world struggles to contain the rapidly spreading virus, organizers of sports events across the globe have been forced to cancel or alter their plans.

Many international sports events were canceled or rescheduled, and some were or will be played without the audience, with even the future of this summer's Tokyo Olympics in doubt.

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday declared coronavirus a global pandemic.

The global death toll from COVID-19 has surpassed 4,600, with over 124,500 confirmed cases, according to the WHO.

The virus originated in China’s central Wuhan city last December and has spread to more than 100 countries so far.

As part of efforts to contain the outbreak, many governments closed borders and suspended land and air travel with the worst-hit countries.