MIES, Switzerland/TENERIFE, Spain (FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018) - With just over six weeks to the start of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018, the competition's mascot was unveiled on Tuesday at a ceremony in the town hall of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in the presence of Veronica Meseguer, Santa Cruz council member in charge of Sports, Education and Youth, and Jose Montero, Event Director of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2018 and Executive Vice-President of the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB).

Tina is a lovely, colorful turtle shining in the limelight. Her name is the short form of Tinerfeña, which means coming from or living in Tenerife.

She is one of the many sea creatures - from hundreds of different species - that approach Tenerife from all corners of the planet throughout the year. During the summer months, they come up close to the islands and sometimes even come on land.

Tina loves the unique colors and great atmosphere that Tenerife has to offer and it's where she feels right at home.

This very special and affectionate turtle is a true original. She is entertaining and outgoing and has an incredible sounding secret: her true passion and what makes her return to Tenerife each year is a sport - basketball.

She is very happy that, this summer, a very special event is taking place and that she can take an active part in - the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2018.

"The presentation of the mascot for the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup is a new milestone in the process of organizing the best women's basketball event in history for which FIBA, the Spanish Basketball Federation and local authorities have been working for more than a year," said Montero. "Tina is a perfect fit for the island of Tenerife but also has a special meaning since she's a Bob Turtle, an endangered species which, each summer, reaches the waters of the archipelago from North America, Cuba or Mexico. The same process will happen this September, when the 16 best national teams from around the world will land on the island.

"Tina's image will serve to spread Tenerife's hospitality for women's basketball and become the element that brings the Women's World Cup closer to the little ones. As we've done with the medals, we are doing our best so that this tournament sees the best players of the world play in Spain and reaches all corners of the planet. Our goal is to organize a World Cup that will be remembered as a once in a lifetime."

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About FIBA
FIBA (fiba.basketball) - the world governing body for basketball - is an independent association formed by 213 National Basketball Federations throughout the world. It is recognised as the sole competent authority in basketball by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

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