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21 - 29
July 2018
24/07/2018
News
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FIBA Secretary General Baumann meets Belarus President Lukashenko, takes in action at U17 Women's World Cup

MINSK (FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2018) - FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann on Tuesday met Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko and attended games at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup 2018.

Mr Baumann and Mr Lukashenko, who share a connection through their involvement in the Olympic movement - the former as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the latter as chairman of the Belarusian Olympic Committee - talked about the ongoing FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup taking place in Minsk.

Also on hand during the morning meeting at the Republic Palace in Minsk were: Belarus' Sports and Tourism Minister, Sergei Kovalchuk, the President of the Belarusian Basketball Federation (BBF) Maksim Ryzhenkov and FIBA ambassador and Advisor to the Secretary General, Lubomir Kotleba.

Mr Lukashenko thanked Mr Baumann and FIBA for granting Belarus the opportunity to host the competition and expressed hope that in the future the country will be entrusted with staging more leading basketball events.

"On my part I can assure you of the absolute interest of the audience in any event held within the framework of your federation. I think the head of the Belarusian Basketball Federation has already told you about our capacities and available logistics," Mr Lukashenko said to the Belarusian Telegraph Agency. "Rest assured, if we embark on something, we will handle it at the highest level possible, because government agencies and structures are always involved in it. Any tournament in any sport is always an event of nationwide importance. This is part of our youth policy, efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle and sport in our society.

Mr Baumann expressed his gratitute to Mr Lukashenko for the full support provided by the goverment and the sports ministry to both the BBF and Local Organizing Committee (LOC) in ensuring the best possible conditions are in place for the competition.

"On FIBA's behalf, I wish to thank President Lukashenko, Mr Kovalchuk, Mr Ryzhenkov and all of the people at the BBF and as part of the LOC for their commitment and dedication to make this U17 Women's World Cup a memorable experience for all involved - players, teams, officials and of course the fans," he said.

Following the meeting, Mr Baumann took in some of the action at Sports Palace and Falcon Club as the Group Phase drew to a close.

FIBA