Reinforcement for the basketball Dragons: Amar Alibegović is no longer a foreigner

(Patria) - The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) today sent a letter informing the Basketball Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina that Amar Alibegović will no longer have the status of a naturalized foreigner in our country's national team.

This means that the basketball player from Turkish Bodrum can now play for our Dragons without any restrictions and the so-called "asterisk" in the roster.

“A lot of effort was invested, so we are overjoyed with the outcome. A great victory for the Federation. Quality work and unity within the Management Board paid off. This is the result, above all, of the good relations we have established with FIBA recently. They appreciated some things, such as our decision to agree with Albania to play a match at a different time during the U18 European Championship instead of being awarded a win by default. We showed cooperativeness in several other situations, definitely opening a new page in communication with the top of European basketball. We are also pleased that the national team, with Amar on the team, will now gain added quality ahead of the Olympic pre-qualifiers,” states the President of the Management Board of the BiH Basketball Federation, Dalibor Miloš.

The process itself and the "battle" for Amar Alibegović's status lasted for months, emphasizes the national team director, Vedran Princ.

“In the end, I can say it was truly worth it. Amar's joy when I told him the 'asterisk' was finally removed is simply indescribable. He is a guy who only wants to play for BiH, he came to gatherings even when he knew he probably wouldn't be in the team for the matches. Now, he will play in the jersey with the state coat of arms alongside his cousin, Luka Garza. There is no doubt that he will be a reinforcement; basketball fans know very well what kind of player he is,” concludes Princ.

Let us remind you, Alibegović is currently in the national team's preparations for participation in the Olympic pre-qualifiers, which are held from August 12 to 20.

(scsport.ba)