There is an official request from Israel to the BIBL for an Israeli team next season

The Sports Director of the EUROHOLD Balkan League - Mr. Shay Shtriks confirmed the news, that a team from Israel expressed desire to participate in the competition from the upcoming 2011/2012 season, and that′s Hapoel Tel-Aviv.

The club has already sent an official letter to the League, supported by the Israeli federation. In order for that to be done, an official request isn′t enough. The EUROHOLD Balkan League has it′s Official Regulations, and according to them, in order for a new country to be accepted as a member, all the current member federations must approve that. And also, as the country isn′t situated on the Balkan peninsula, the matter must be taken officially to the FIBA Europe board. After an approval from the FIBA Europe board, Israel could be accepted as a member of the BIBL, and respectively an Israeli team will be able to participate in the League. From yesterday, there is a rumour in the Israeli media, that another club from the country will play - Hapoel Holon, where Pini Gershon is already Head of Management. The management of the BIBL congratulates Mr. Gershon, but however Shay Shtriks denied the rumor, as nobody from the club or federation has contacted the League. The possibility of two Israeli teams from next season is minimal.

Mr. Shtriks is currently in Macedonia, where he has meetings with the President of FIBA Europe Mr. Olafur Rafnsson and Mr. Daniel Dimevski, President of the Macedonian Federation, and also President of the FIBA Europe Competition Commision. They will discuss and approve two new projects, already confirmed by the Secretary General of FIBA Europe Mr. Nar Zanolin. Those are the Junior Tournament of the Balkan League (U18) in cooperation and with the approval of FIBA Europe, and the new project for 3-on-3 with cooperation and with the approval of FIBA and FIBA Europe.