Midnight Madness 2011 Postponed

For the first summer in over a decade, Midnight Madness will not be taking place after the event has been classed as a ‘moderate-high’ risk after the London riots.

In a statement released on their website, Midnight Madness, who’s 2011 campaign was to begin this Saturday at Crystal Palace, said:

“It is with great regret that we are forced to announce the upcoming Midnight Madness Qualifier and Showcase events are today postponed due to health & safety concerns for our players, spectators and facilities in the wake of recent civil unrest.”

The postponment of the UK’s premier summer basketball tournament will leave a huge void in many ballers’ summer programme, and has been met with much disappointment from the basketball community.

After multiple conversations with their partners, England Basketball, the local community and the Met Police, Midnight Madness put the safety of their players and spectators first and decided to postpone the event, targeting a return later in the year, rumoured to be around Christmas time.

Founder Nhamo Shire remained positive, despite being disappointed:

“We’ve all watched the events of the past few days unfold with obvious concern. This is the first time we’ve ever had to do something like this, but safety must always come first. Midnight Madness was built on the foundations of giving young people something more positive to channel their energies into, in a safe and secure environment and we will continue to push ahead with that later this year”

Madness will however, go ahead with their game against Stony Brook, scheduled for for Wednesday August 17.