MIES - After tropical cyclone Pam left extreme damage in its wake last month, the South Pacific Ocean island nation of Vanuatu has started to rebuild and is getting support from FIBA's foundation, the International Basketball Foundation (IBF).

The IBF has committed resources to replace the damaged equipment in Port Vila at Stade courts, which is the national home of basketball in Vanuatu.

"Vanuatu is one of our family of 215 national federations across the world and we want to help them in rebuilding Stade courts," said IBF President Yvan Mainini.

"When we received the first images of the damage done to the courts, it was clear that the IBF could play a valuable role in getting basketball back up and running by supplying new backboards, rims and other equipment to help get people actively start playing basketball again.

FIBA Oceania Regional Director David Crocker said: "FIBA has held a long-term relationship with the Vanuatu Basketball Federation by assisting with employing the National Basketball Development Officer Kevin Roslyn and this relationship is growing with a new programme, Hoops for Health.

"With the support of the Australian Government, FIBA and the Vanuatu Basketball Federation will implement programmes to get more people active through 3x3 basketball."

FIBA