CANADA IN RUNNING TO HOST 2011 FIBA AMERICAS CHAMPIONSHIP FOR MEN
(Toronto, ON) – Canada Basketball submitted a letter of interest to FIBA Americas to host the zone championship tournament for men in 2011. Canada is one of five countries bidding for the coveted event that serves as the qualifier for the 2012 Olympic Games.
“This is a great opportunity for Canada to host some of the best basketball players in the world,” said Wayne Parrish, Executive Director and CEO for Canada Basketball. “With the recent successes of our men’s and women’s national teams around the globe and the rise in popularity of our great sport right here at home, the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship is an ideal forum to showcase Canada’s passion for the game of basketball.”
2009 was a banner summer for the elite squads, as Canada successfully qualified for all four 2010 world basketball events (Senior Men, Senior Women, Cadet Men, Cadette Women). Joining dominant countries like Argentina, Australia, Spain and USA, Canada is one of only five FIBA nations to achieve this distinction.
The other four nations bidding to host the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship include Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Puerto Rico. Each of these countries hosted a FIBA Americas event in 2009, the most recent being the World Championship qualifier in San Juan, Puerto Rico where Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team finished in 4th place to earn a berth to the 2010 FIBA World Championship.
“I am very excited about the opportunity for our team to play at home,” commented Leo Rautins, Head Coach of the Senior Men’s National Team. “Our guys, the Road Warriors, play all around the world and rarely get a chance to compete in front of friends, family and Canada’s passionate basketball fan base. There is no better way for us to prepare for the chance to compete at the 2012 Olympic Games.”
Up next in the bid process, FIBA Americas will provide all interested countries with the bid and tournament criteria details in January. Canada Basketball and the other federations have until March 19, 2010 to confirm their bids.
“We plan to work diligently with private and public sector partners over the next few months to submit a viable and vibrant bid package to FIBA Americas that is reflective of our unique diverse nation,” added Parrish.
The FIBA Americas Evaluation Commission will review all applications, conduct a site visit with each of the bidding nations and submit a report to the Executive Committee. Finally, each federation will have an opportunity to make a short presentation in San Juan, Puerto Rico before the official decision is made on June 25, 2010.
The last Olympic qualifying tournament for men was hosted in 2007 by USA Basketball in Las Vegas. Canada’s Senior Men’s National Team finished in fifth place at the event, clinching a spot in the 2008 FIBA World Olympic Qualifier in Athens, Greece.
The top two finishers of the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship will receive automatic qualification to the 2012 Olympic Games. The next three teams will have a chance to compete in the 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifier.
1 comment:
Mark, does Canada Basketball need to name the host venues in the bid or will that be decided after the event is awarded?
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