Turkey officially began a new era on Wednesday by unveiling Orhun Ene as the head coach of the national team.
A former national team point guard, Ene has replaced Bogdan Tanjevic at the helm.
Tanjevic steered the national side to the silver medal at last year’s FIBA World Championship in Istanbul and Ene was among his assistants.
“I’m excited about working for Turkish basketball to have bigger achievements than ever before,” said Ene at a press conference in Istanbul.
Turkish Basketball Federation president Turgay Demirel also announced that Tanjevic still has a role with the national side.
Tanjevic, who also led Italy to the gold medal at EuroBasket 1999, will serve as the national team technical coordinator for the next four years.
“I have been serving for national teams for 25 years first as a player and after as a coach,” said Tanjevic.
“I’m aware of these important responsibilities and tough duties which I have.”
The other assistant coach on Turkey’s silver-medal winning side, Nihat Izic, will continue in his role as the youth national teams technical coordinator for men.
Izic is a lecturer in the FIBA Europe Coaching Certificate program.
Turkey put on a great spectacle last summer and Demirel wants the basketball team to keep the momentum going.
On Sunday, they were drawn in EuroBasket 2011 Group A with defending champions Spain, tournament hosts Lithuania, Great Britain, Poland and one of the two sides that emerges from the Additional Qualifying Round.
The two finalists will earn a trip to next year’s Olympics in London.
“We want Turkey to participate in the 2012 Olympic Games,” Demirel said.
“This is our target so we will battle at EuroBasket 2011 Basket to reach our aim.”
Source: www.fibaeurope.com
