The Macedonian Olympic Committee and Basketball Federation in the country have signed a co-operation agreement ©MOC

The Macedonian Olympic Committee (MOC) and the Basketball Federation of Macedonia (BFM) have signed a co-operation agreement for the next Olympic cycle, it has been announced.

The partnership is mainly aimed at the training of coaches and will include a cash injection of $60,000 (£45,000/€54,000) from the MOC.

MOC President Vasil Tupurkovski and BFM counterpart Petar Naumovski were in attendance for the signing agreement

The project is due to begin this year with a number of activities, beginning with a visit from Branko Andrievska, the country’s coordinator of the BFM’s youth categories, to the Olympic Center in Colorado Springs and the University of Delaware.

As part of the trip, Andrievska will work closely with leading teams to gain knowledge of coaching at the highest level as he prepares to undertake his International Basketball Federation (FIBA) coaching diploma.

The MOC will hope the project and increased funding can improve the performances of the Macedonian national teams ©Getty Images
The MOC will hope the project and increased funding can improve the performances of the Macedonian national teams ©Getty Images

The BFM will also participate in an Olympic training seminar for coaches for youth and senior categories, which aims to improve their knowledge of special physical training.

The MOC will fully cover the financial costs of the project, they have confirmed, and the scheme has been approved by the International Olympic Committee and FIBA.

The MOC and the BFM will be hoping the partnership can improve the performances of the Macedonian basketball teams.

The men failed to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and have never managed to compete at the FIBA World Cup.

Their best finish at a major tournament was fourth place at the 2011 EuroBasket in Lithuania.

Macedonia’s women have also never qualified for a World Cup or an Olympics.