Jun 16, 2007, 2:39 am
Solution in sight for British Basketball
- Final decision postponed until 13th July 2007 -
GENEVA (FIBA Press Release) - England Basketball Chair Terry Donovan met in London yesterday, 14th June 2007, with FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann to analyze the current situation and to exchange information on the several discussions and meetings held over the past weeks with the UK Minister for Sport, Sport England, the British Olympic Association and the British Basketball League.
During the same day they also held a meeting with Lord Moynihan, Chairman of the British Olympic Association, and Tony Mallin, Chairman of the Mallin Review currently being undertaken to make recommendations to assist with the future development of basketball in England. As a result of this meeting, and based on the information received to-date, FIBA and FIBA Europe have determined that sufficient initial progress has been made to ensure that English basketball teams and players are closer to being admitted to play in European competitions.
Following assurances provided by the British Olympic Association that it will work with FIBA and England Basketball to secure a strong future for the sport in the United Kingdom and conscious of a number of positive steps taken by the Ministry and Sport England, which include the provision of a first "tranche" of public funding for England Basketball's programs, FIBA and FIBA Europe have today agreed to allow the participation of England teams and players in the forthcoming FIBA Europe events for the U18 Women (June 29th - July 8th) and the U16 Men (20th-29th July). British U20 teams will play 6th-15th July (Men) and 13th-22nd July (Women).
FIBA and FIBA Europe now urge the British Government and its agencies to resolve the remaining issues concerning England Basketball to ensure that the Senior Men and Women teams and players, as well as the other two age category teams and players, will be admitted to international competition. In this context, FIBA and FIBA Europe are prepared to extend the deadline for their decision to July 13th 2007 and have informed England Basketball, the British Olympic Association and the Ministry accordingly.
About FIBA
FIBA, the world governing body for basketball, is an independent association formed by 213 National Federations of basketball throughout the world. It is recognised as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Its main upcoming events are the 2007 FIBA Zone Continental Championships that will qualify for Beijing 2008, the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (to take place in the summer of 2008) and the FIBA World Championships for Men and Women, held every four years. The 2010 FIBA World Championship will be played in Turkey.
- Final decision postponed until 13th July 2007 -
GENEVA (FIBA Press Release) - England Basketball Chair Terry Donovan met in London yesterday, 14th June 2007, with FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann to analyze the current situation and to exchange information on the several discussions and meetings held over the past weeks with the UK Minister for Sport, Sport England, the British Olympic Association and the British Basketball League.
During the same day they also held a meeting with Lord Moynihan, Chairman of the British Olympic Association, and Tony Mallin, Chairman of the Mallin Review currently being undertaken to make recommendations to assist with the future development of basketball in England. As a result of this meeting, and based on the information received to-date, FIBA and FIBA Europe have determined that sufficient initial progress has been made to ensure that English basketball teams and players are closer to being admitted to play in European competitions.
Following assurances provided by the British Olympic Association that it will work with FIBA and England Basketball to secure a strong future for the sport in the United Kingdom and conscious of a number of positive steps taken by the Ministry and Sport England, which include the provision of a first "tranche" of public funding for England Basketball's programs, FIBA and FIBA Europe have today agreed to allow the participation of England teams and players in the forthcoming FIBA Europe events for the U18 Women (June 29th - July 8th) and the U16 Men (20th-29th July). British U20 teams will play 6th-15th July (Men) and 13th-22nd July (Women).
FIBA and FIBA Europe now urge the British Government and its agencies to resolve the remaining issues concerning England Basketball to ensure that the Senior Men and Women teams and players, as well as the other two age category teams and players, will be admitted to international competition. In this context, FIBA and FIBA Europe are prepared to extend the deadline for their decision to July 13th 2007 and have informed England Basketball, the British Olympic Association and the Ministry accordingly.
About FIBA
FIBA, the world governing body for basketball, is an independent association formed by 213 National Federations of basketball throughout the world. It is recognised as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Its main upcoming events are the 2007 FIBA Zone Continental Championships that will qualify for Beijing 2008, the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (to take place in the summer of 2008) and the FIBA World Championships for Men and Women, held every four years. The 2010 FIBA World Championship will be played in Turkey.
Respect and thanks for everything:
Alvertis, Bodiroga, Jasikevicius, Radja, Wilkins, Vrankovic, Fotsis, Rebraca, Kattash, Gentile, Koch, Middleton, Kutluay, Rogers, Papadopoulos, Becirovic, Tomasevic, Siskauskas, Pekovic, Lakovic, Vujanic, Chatzivrettas, Maljkovic, Spanoulis and many more to follow in the near future.