IBL Ready To Stop Competition If Government Sounds COVID-19 Alarm

Matches in the Indonesian Basketball League (HUMAS IBL)

JAKARTA – IBL organizers are ready for the worst risk of this year's competitive season as the number of COVID-19 cases increases. They are willing to stop the competition if there is an emergency alarm from the government.

IBL President Director Junas Miradiarsyah said that currently his party had a backup plan, including if the competition had to continue without spectators. However, they are also ready if there is an emergency situation that requires the competition to stop.

"For example, if there is an emergency, both the central government and the regional government, which causes us to be like the 2020 season, we must be ready. The point is that we are ready for that,” Junas said in a telephone call.

The second series of the IBL this season, which took place in Bandung, was plagued by a surge in COVID-19 cases. The positive findings of players and officials meant that some matches had to be rescheduled by the organizers.

With this situation, it is possible that this season could stop in the middle of the road. IBL itself had experienced the 2020 competition season which could not be completed due to the corona that initially spread in Indonesia.

Junas said that he hoped the worst situation would not happen so that the competition could run to the end.

"Hopefully it doesn't happen. What is important is what is planned, and we can control what we do as best we can. Even if there are conditions that must be stopped, we will see. First what kind of emergency from the government, then the direction of the local government, "said Junas.

After postponing three matches in the first two days of the second series, the IBL resumed normal matches on Monday, January 31, 2022. A total of four matches took place and were still attended by spectators.

IBL itself is ready if the competition should continue without spectators. In addition, IBL is also willing to move certain series to another city that is safer if the city that has been appointed to host it in an emergency situation.