The Local Organizing Committee of the 2010 FIBA World Championship and FIBA have jointly announced that the city of Kayseri has been confirmed as the fourth (in addition to Ankara, Istanbul and lzmir) venue to host the world’s most important basketball event in 2010.
Kayseri will replace the city of Antalya, as it failed to guarantee the construction of a new arena within the given deadline. The 2010 FIBA World Championship will be played from 28th August to 12th September 2010 and Kayseri’s Kadir Has Spor Salonu will host one of the Preliminary Round groups, with six teams, from 28th August to 2nd September 2010.
Turgay Demirel, President of the Turkish Basketball Federation, stated: “We believe that Kayseri will be an excellent venue as it offers excellent facilities such as a brand new arena, an international airport and several five star hotels. We have tried everything possible, in cooperation with the municipality of Antalya and the government of Turkey, to find a solution. However, we now have decided in favour of Kayseri, a city committed to promote sports and in particular basketball. We believe that this will help grow our sport in a new and emerging market in Turkey.”
Kayseri’s women’s basketball team has recently been promoted to the top Turkish league and the city is focusing all efforts to place a men’s team in the top league as well. In addition, Kayseri features a first division football club and has recently organized high-profile international sports events.
The decision was backed by FIBA. FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann notes that “the FIBA Central Board decided that, should there not be a fully approved and signed contract with regards to the construction works of the Antalya Arena by 15th July 2009, the venue would be moved to the city of Kayseri. According to the report by the independent audit company, BG-Algoe, the construction progress of the Antalya Arena would create a major risk. We are confident that Kayseri will fulfil all requirements for such a high-profile event. The decision will give adequate time to the organisers to get the things done in terms of sponsorships, ticket sales, accommodation and transportation.”
