Following the announcement on March 12 to suspend all CBL games, and subsequently the updated announcement on March 22 that an updated position would be communicated on the 31st March, the CBL Management Committee and Advisory Board have reached the difficult decision to bring the CBL 2019/20 season officially to an end.
This decision has not been made lightly and has been reached through consultation with national and international governance of our sport around the safety and viability of returning to active basketball competitions in the current climate of the COVID-19 pandemic, while also taking advice from wider government and health officials.
The league recognises that this decision will disappoint many of our players, coaches, clubs and supporters, however, our commitment to the health and safety of all CBL players, officials, coaches, parents, fans and staff must remain our top priority. We look forward to returning to CBL competitions, but only at a time when it is safe to do so and we are advised as such by the appropriate authorities.
Rather than ending the 2019/20 season negatively with the season ‘up in the air’ – the Management Committee have agreed to award the CBL division championships in each respective division, to the teams who have won (or sit atop of) their respective regular season divisions, in line with the fair play and sporting integrity which underpins our league.
Statement from CBL Commissioner, Nhamo Shire:
“We’ve all been taken aback with the events of the last few months with COVID-19 and deeply saddened by the news of just how many people from within and outside of our sport this disease has affected. Our thoughts and condolences go out to all those who have lost friends or family through this time”.
“The CBL and our sport in general, serves a valuable purpose in bringing people together and providing fun, opportunities and good times for all those involved, which is something we take great pride in and all sorely miss at this time and are eager to return to. However, we stand side by side with the leagues and governance across the basketball landscape in understanding the time isn’t yet right, for us to safely bring league action back to our community and so, with responsible regret, we will not be staging playoffs for this season, which brings this current season to a close”.
“We are, however, going to celebrate the regular season champions, as we were able to finish all regular season games before the pandemic stopped play. We will be announcing the winners from each division in the week ahead, alongside division MVP’s and coaches of the year – all of whom will be receiving their trophies and awards, as they normally would have, at our CBL Finals Day. Trophy presentations will take place at the first event of the new season.”
“We are already in deep and exciting planning for the 2020-2021 season to ensure we use this time to strengthen the league, our media and our celebration and profiling of our players, coaches and clubs, so we can deliver the best season ever as we return to the court. We are looking forward to an October start date, providing it is safe to do so and look forward to welcoming all of our teams back on court, for those who are ready and able.In the meantime, be safe, stay healthy and we look forward to seeing you soon”.
In addition, for all teams (fully paid subscribers) from the 2019/20 season, the CBL will be offering a 20% discount on registration fees for the 2020/21 season (while spaces remain available).
Follow us on social media to see all division champions and MVP’s to be released in the week ahead.
To sign up for the new season, CLICK HERE.
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