GENEVA - World basketball governing body confirmed Saturday on its official website that it would clear the way for players under contract with the National Basketball Association (NBA) to play abroad during the lockout.

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) said in its news release that "NBA players who continue to be under contract with an NBA team are free to play anywhere they want during a lockout, whether for their national team and/or for club teams".

It also said the NBA will not object if an NBA player requests to play for a club of a FIBA affiliated league, but will the player have to return to his NBA team as soon as the lockout ends.

"As the world governing body for basketball, we strongly hope that the labor dispute will be resolved as soon as possible, and that the NBA season is able to begin as scheduled," said FIBA Secretary General and IOC member, Patrick Baumann.

"In view of our role to promote basketball worldwide, we support any player wishing to play the game, wherever and whenever. We do so while obviously taking the interests, rights and obligations of all parties into account," he added in the new release.

"We are delighted to see that, in spite of widespread doubts related to the lockout, National Teams competing in this summer's Olympic Qualifiers will be able to count on the participation of most of their NBA stars."

FIBA had stated that it is up to the clubs to decide whether or not they shall sign a waiver clearing them of any responsibility towards the player in case of injury and other reasons preventing him from returning to the NBA and from fulfilling his obligations vis-a-vis his NBA team.?