Basketball: England secure Nemeth's future

The England coach, Laszlo Nemeth, led his side into the European Championship qualifying tournament in Slovakia this weekend secure in the knowledge that his contract is being extended beyond the end of the month.

But the Hungarian could soon be working under a newly appointed national performance director, as the English Basketball Association aim to appoint someone to develop programmes for the men's and women's senior national teams and to encourage elite players.

Nemeth's three-year contract expires next week, but the Association's Mark Hannen dispelled speculation about the coach's immediate future, saying: "We will not be advertising for a replacement and Laszlo will remain in his post, assuming he wants to."

The Association will advertise "worldwide", according to their chairman, Peter Knowles, to fill the post as part of their latest funding application to the Sports Council. The Association will advertise soon but recognise it could be end of the year before a director is in place.

In the interim, Nemeth will bring some continuity particularly if England are successful this weekend against Luxembourg, Switzerland and Slovakia. England must finish in the top two to qualify for the semi-final round beginning in the autumn.