Laisiasa Puamau, a highly respected basketball coach from Fiji, has been granted a scholarship to participate in the International Coaching Apprenticeship in Basketball (ICAB) program in the United States.
This initiative, backed by Olympic Solidarity, the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC), and FIBA, aims to enhance Puamau’s coaching skills at a top-tier level. The program, which started on June 3 and will run until November 6, 2024, provides an intensive coaching education training course designed to refine basketball coaching abilities while immersing participants in the U.S. intercollegiate basketball scene. Puamau’s acceptance into this program highlights his remarkable coaching history and his potential to elevate basketball in Fiji and the Oceania region.
The six-month ICAB program includes four modules, consisting of virtual sessions, in-person lectures at the University of Delaware, and a three-week apprenticeship with a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 basketball program. This exceptional opportunity will enable Puamau to observe and engage with leading U.S. college basketball coaches.
“We are ecstatic that Puamau has been chosen for this prestigious scholarship,” remarked Lyndall Fisher, sports development manager at FASANOC. “We believe this experience will not only benefit Laisiasa but will also play a vital role in advancing basketball development in our nation.”
Once the program concludes, Puamau is expected to apply the knowledge and experiences gained to enhance coaching practices and the overall development of basketball in Fiji. As a FIBA-licensed coach with a rich background in the sport, Puamau has represented Fiji in various international competitions and has successfully led national teams to numerous medals in Pacific and regional events.