The new Basketball South Africa (BSA) executive committee has been asked by the world governing body to help in fast-tracking the development of the game in the country.

The new Basketball South Africa (BSA) executive committee has been asked by the world governing body to help in fast-tracking the development of the game in the country.

This would be achieved by establishing competitive leagues for both men and women at all levels, BSA says.

This was delivered to BSA president Malesela Maleka and his deputy, Malumbete Ralethe, by the Federation of International Basketball Association (Fiba) on Saturday at a meeting here at the World Student Games to discuss the revival of the sport in SA.

"Fiba have asked us to establish competitive leagues, be it amateur or professional. We fully support their call because it is in line with the resolutions of the new executive committee to create a platform for both young and old South Africans to play basketball on a regular basis," said Maleka.

"The meeting also discussed the role that Fiba want South Africa to play in terms of the development of the game on the continent, they see South Africa as a strategic partner for them to develop basketball across the globe because we also have students of the world in our country.

"Fiba have seen the potential that we have in basketball throughout the world because we also have quite a number of men and women playing the sport elsewhere, with the majority of them studying in the US."

Maleka announced that Fiba president Bob Elphinston and secretary-general Patrick Baumann will visit SA in September for meetings with the Minister of Sport and Recreation Makhenkesi Stofile among other stakeholders.

"Their visit will also coincide with the coming of the yearly Basketball Without Borders, which Fiba are over the moon that it has been progressing well in our country over the years.