Basketball: Baldwin takes swipe at funding agency

Tab Baldwin

Outgoing coach Tab Baldwin has fired a salvo at Government sports funding agency Sparc after the Tall Blacks climbed to 12th in the latest world rankings.

Despite their disappointing showing at the just-finished world championship in Japan, New Zealand's top-16 finish saw them climb four spots to hover just outside the top 10 among 213 member nations.

The Tall Blacks entered the tournament ranked 16th in the world, but have moved past Russia, Brazil, Puerto Rico and Canada.

"The rankings reflect the continued performance of the Tall Blacks at the elite international level, and with wins over Japan and Panama, we have moved closer to the top 10," said Baldwin, who announced his resignation after his side were eliminated by Olympic champions Argentina.

"However, it does get tougher to continue moving up unless we can achieve better results."

Baldwin took the chance to criticise Sparc's recent decision to direct about 75 per cent of its high performance budget to athletics, cycling, rowing, sailing, swimming and triathlon.

Cricket, netball and rugby will also be eligible for financial support while sports such as basketball will fight it out with all others for about a quarter of the funds.

"It brings into scrutiny the decision of Sparc to not place us among the elite sports in New Zealand when, in fact, we are now firmly placed among an elite sport's elite teams," Baldwin said.

"What other New Zealand team competing in a truly elite world sport ranks as high?"

Despite falling to Greece in the world championship semifinals, the US remain top of the rankings, followed by Argentina. New champions Spain leap two spots to third.

World rankings

1 United States
2 Argentina
3 Spain
4 Serbia and Montenegro
5 Lithuania
6 Greece
7 Italy
8 France
9 Germany
10 Australia
11 China
12 NEW ZEALAND

- NZPA