ANGE Kouame is getting closer to becoming a Filipino citizen.
The Justice Committee of the House of Representatives has approved on Wednesday House Bill No. 5951 which seeks to grant Filipino citizenship to the Ivorian center.
The bill, which is principally authored by Deputy Speaker and Antipolo first district Rep. Robbie Puno and filed on Jan. 20, is looking to make Kouame one of Gilas Pilipinas' naturalized players for future international competitions.
He was included to the 16-man national team pool in the recently concluded window in Manama, Bahrain, although did not suit up as his naturalization process remains pending.
"It's a really good opportunity sa akin kasi I wouldn't have even expected this. I'm grateful to represent the country and despite the fact that I came from Africa, I'm doing it for my family also," Kouame said in his testimonial on the online hearing.
Puno, who is also the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) vice chairman, welcomed the development as Gilas eyes to bring Kouame in to the national team as early as the third window of the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers in February.
"I am thankful that my colleagues in the House of Representatives recognize the potential Mr. Kouame, who gave a stunning performance in the 82nd Season of the UAAP, can bring to our national team as they prepare to compete in the 2023 Fiba World Cup," he said.
"He’s just turning 23 years old before the end of the year, but no one can doubt the immense talent of Mr. Kouame, as shown in the recent 16-0 sweep of the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the recent UAAP season. I am hopeful that he will bring the same level of intensity as a member of Gilas Pilipinas. We just need to provide him with better opportunities to defend the Philippines internationally."
Kouame, who won the UAAP Rookie of the Year honors in 2018, averaged 12.5 points, 14 rebounds, and 5.5 blocks last season for the Blue Eagles.
With the approval of Kouame's naturalization process in the committee level, it now proceeds to the House where congressmen in the House of Representatives will be able to vote on the matter.
Meanwhile, its counterpart in the upper house, Senate Bill No. 1892 filed by SBP chairman Sen. Sonny Angara filed last October 2, remains pending.
Once both bills are approved, it's now up to the president if he will enact those bills into law and approve the naturalization case.
With this development, Puno is upbeat that the SBP's dream of forming a naturalized players' pool will be achieved, all the more as the Philippines hosts the 2023 Fiba World Cup.
"Gilas Pilipinas is in need of a new breed of players, and I am hopeful that we will be able to include Mr. Kouame to their roster. But of course, we need more like him to ensure not only an exciting start but more importantly a strong finish in the next FIBA World Cup," he said.
SBP is seeking to bring in at least two to three foreign players to reinforce the national team, with among those likely names being Ginebra's Justin Brownlee and San Miguel's Chris McCullough.
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