Agro Perspectiva

Vilkul: Kyiv will be European centre for basketball in August

06.08.2013 18:29 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) — "In August, the European centre for basketball will be in Kyiv. From 8 to 18 August Kiev hosts FIBA Europe U16 European Championship. There is no doubt that in a few years the young men who take part in our championship, will be leaders of their main teams. But they will always remember a game that they played on our grounds," vice Prime Minister Olexandr Vilkul said during a press conference, Government Portal reports. He also said that returning to our country in the future they will feel homey. «After all these athletes firsthand will know that people in our country like basketball and he can play it,» Olexandr Vilkul said. The press conference was also attended by the President of the Basketball Federation of Ukraine Olexandr Volkov and EuroBasket 2015 tournament director Markiyan Lubkivskyi. At the initiative of the Government and with the participation of Local Organizing Committee EuroBasket 2015, the Basketball Federation of Ukraine, UNICEF, charities orphans and children deprived of parental care, children from poor and large families and children with special needs visit basketball games. Deputy Prime Minister at a press conference presented the Cup and medals of FIBA Europe U16 European Championship. «I believe in the success of Ukrainian sportsmen. Our goal is that young Ukrainian basketballers win this Cup in the Final of the Tournament in the future. And we support and create children’s sports schools, training centers and hold world-class sports events for that,» he said. «Local Organizing Committee worked for months to organize this championship at the highest level and provide the best conditions for everyone involved: players, coaches, members of official delegations, visitors, fans and media. It’s nice that the FIBA Europe U16 European Championship also received tremendous support of voluntary community (200 volunteers joined). Ukraine hosts European championship in basketball for the first time, games will be beamed by First National Channel; it also will be organized internet broadcasting. I hope that this tournament will be a good beginning of a new history of successful Ukrainian basketball and we will be proud of our players,» Markiyan Lubkivskyi said. President of the Basketball Federation of Ukraine Olexandr Volkov noted: «We are honored to hold the European Championship for Cadets before the EuroBasket 2015, to which our country is now actively preparing.» Holding the European Championship for Cadets is one of the stages of Ukraine’s preparation to EuroBasket 2015. «Every new event of this magnitude opens Ukraine to the world and gives rise to speak about our country in a positive way. European Championship for Cadets again demonstrates that Ukraine is able to organize high-level sports events. Ahead we have EuroBasket 2015. We will also fight for the right to host the Winter Olympics in 2022,» Olexandr Vilkul said. It is to be admitted, this year’s FIBA Europe U16 European Championship Men will be held at the Kyiv Sports Palace from 8 to 18 August 2013. Competition will consist of 72 games. Rivals of Ukraine team in Group D are teams from Latvia, Italy and Croatia. It is to be reminded, the Coordinating Committee, headed by the President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych, has been established to assure the preparation and holding of the EuroBasket 2015 finals in Ukraine; the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Olexandr Vilkul has been appointed as the secretary of the Committee.