MEXICO CITY (FIBA U17 World Championship for Women) - It's almost four decades since Mexican basketball last competed on a global stage and that only adds to the excitement ahead of Israel Zermeno leading his team out for their maiden appearance at the FIBA U17 World Championship for Women.

With the men's senior team heading to the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain and playing on a worldwide platform for the first time in 38 years, the rising stars under Zermeno's wing are preparing to fly the flag for women ballers in their homeland.

"I am very proud and excited," stated the play-caller ahead of the tournament getting underway in Klatovy and Pilsen, Czech Republic next month.

"I'm honoured, to be able to continue leading this outstanding group of young people.

"I have been doing so since 2012 when I first led these national team players at Centrobasket U15 and then the classification tournament in 2013 at the FIBA Americas U16 Championship for Women, when we got the ranking needed to get our U17 World Championship place.

"It has been a difficult road, but we have achieved our goal since Mexico has not previously played at this tournament."

"I really want to thank Erika Gomez who is responsible for national selections, the President of ADEMEBA (Mexico Basketball Federation) Modesto Robledo and Vice-President, Mario Mendez Realpozo for their support and confidence in allowing continuity in my work as the head coach for a third year with this great group of youngsters."

While Zermeno had always hoped his young guns could potentially blaze a trail, he quickly became aware that his dreams could actually be realised in the wake of a superb start in Cancun last year.

He recalled: "I knew that there was something exciting when we won our first two games against Puerto Rico who were the Centrobasket champions and then against Venezuela, who were second in South America."

For those who haven't yet seen his team play, Zermeno is clear about the ethos and brand of basketball he likes to see his players implement.

"First of all, I like discipline both on and off the court," he declared.

"I like to play a lot like the European style and we are always looking to run the ball quickly up and down the floor.

"My team is also tactically disciplined and plays smart defense."

Mexico will grapple with Australia, Japan and Slovak Republic on their first outing at the event and Zermeno is looking forward to it immensely.

He said: "I think the group will be very competitive and very evenly balanced.

"We seek to obtain the best possible position and I've been studying the roster and our rival team's statistics in order to be prepared for the meetings against them."

While he prepares taking a monumental step forward for the women's game in his country, Zermeno is hoping that one day the senior team can also sail into unchartered waters and some of his players might break into an elite level club league.

"I can see the Mexican women playing at a high level and seeking to reach an Olympic Games," he stated.

"I think this team in the next few years can form part of the best women's team that Mexico has had, and especially with experience of this type of event.

"I consider that this team may have a far-reaching impact if it continues to work together."

He continued, “It’s a fact that these girls aspire to great things and be in a World Championship like this, is already a big step.

"Some of them are currently studying in the USA and others intend to do so and I expect this will be an important element so that scouts can observe them.

"That would be the first step before even thinking about the WNBA for example, but I have no doubt that they all have those kind of aspirations."

FIBA