BUENOS AIRES (FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018) - The FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup 2018 was officially inaugurated with a press conference in Santa Fe on Wednesday that featured Argentina Basketball Federation (CABB) leaders, local politicians and the head coach of the hosts' team.

Present at the Casa de Santa Fe, were CABB president Federico Susbielles, the federation's sports director Sebastian Uranga, U17 head coach Diego Lifschitz as well as Jorge Alvarez and Pablo Catan, the minister of social development and the director of sports for the province of Santa Fe, respectively.

"The truth is that Sante Fe is an ideal, strategic partner for a tournament and a challenge as this one is," Susbielles said. "I believe there is a bet for sport to balance society and investment in sport always goes back to the community. In Sante Fe, you breathe basketball and we're going to have a great public display."

"THE TRUTH IS THAT SANTA FE IS AN IDEAL, STRATEGIC PARTNER FOR A TOURNAMENT AND A CHALLENGE AS THIS ONE IS." SusbiellesSusbielles

And Lifschitz said the team is looking forward to playing at home in front of their own fans.

"It's very important to play at home. It's always beautiful to be close to the fans, especially for the boys. This group has had experience in two ways," the coach said. "We've had to compete, whether it's away from our country or in our country. We will take it in the best possible way so that everything adds towards the performance of the team."

The hosts Argentina have been drawn into Group D along with Croatia, France and Philippines and will play their games in Rosario.

FIBA