Basketball Ireland have made the decision to cancel the 2020-21 season.
They say with current restrictions in place, no competitions would be able to be played before the traditional end point of the season in April.
It's their hope that competitive basketball can resume in April or May with 3x3 tournaments and other events, government restrictions permitting.
They had originally been hoping for a return to play by the end of February.
Basketball Ireland Secretary General, Bernard O’Byrne said “While this is a disappointing to announce the end of our normal 2020-21 season, we hold out hope that we can get some competitive basketball underway during the summer months. Our target is now to open the 2021-22 season as normal in September, across all levels and all competitions.”
Basketball Ireland have frequently voiced their frustration with what they see as a lack of government clarity regarding indoor sports.
In December they forwarded the government a six-point plan for the sport to come out of restrictions.
Their new aim is for international sides to resume training ahead of their FIBA European Championships in June and July.
The University of Limerick is scheduled to host the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries from June 28 to July 3.
Basketball Ireland Chairman, Paul McDevitt, said, "On behalf of the Board and all at Basketball Ireland I’d like to thank our community for their efforts to support each other during these difficult times.
"We will come through this together. Basketball Ireland would like to take this opportunity to again thank the Government and Sport Ireland for the financial and logistical support we have received in 2020 and will receive in 2021 to keep our sport alive."
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