ARG – Manu and twin sons will cheer on Argentina from San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Manu Ginobili will be Argentina's "number one fan" when they compete at the FIBA World Championship after taking the difficult decision not to play at this summer’s 24-team basketball extravaganza.

The 32-year-old superstar will remain at his home in San Antonio with his wife and newborn twin sons when the tournament is played.

"After several days debating this issue and putting in the balance my family, head and heart, the time has come to take a decision regarding my participation in the World Championship," Ginobili said in his La Nacion newspaper column.

"I have come to the hard conclusion that right now, the best thing for me and my family is not to play in the World Championship in Turkey.

"It was not an easy decision to take because I like very much to play with my friends of many years...

"But on this occasion, there are many things that come into play and I had to analyze it.

"As everyone knows after several years of trying, my wife and I will be parents of twins in May.

"I would like to be present at every moment that will never repeat itself.

"The other reason behind my decision is that my body is not ready to play three straight years with the national team, without having a break, nor the physical preparation necessary."

The most valuable player of the 2004 Olympics when Argentina won the gold medal, Ginobili said that international hoops fans have not seen the last of him in the national team jersey.

"As I expressed before, my two experiences at the Olympic Games have been the best as a sportsmen, including NBA rings, tournaments in Europe and what I have experienced in 15 years of my career," Ginobili said.

"I have no doubt in my mind that I would like to experience that.

"That is why my aim is to play at the Pre-Olympic tournament in 2011 (FIBA Americas Championship) and try to earn qualification and then play my last tournament with the boys and with Argentina (in London)."

Argentina, who hold the number one spot in the FIBA World Rankings, will still be among the teams to beat under coach Sergio Hernandez.

There is a glittering array of talent in the squad with Luis Scola, Pablo Prigioni, Carlos Delfino, Andres Nocioni, Fabricio Oberto and Leo Gutierrez.

Argentina will take on Serbia, Australia, Germany, Angola and Jordan in Group A, with those Preliminary Round games in Kayseri.

"There's no doubt that it's going to be hard to watch the World Championship on TV," Ginobili said.

"I will want to eat the TV screen and I will miss competing like no-one else.

"I analyzed my situation, a difficult one but the right one.

"I hope that everyone understands it. I am not retiring from the national team, I'm just prioritizing London over Turkey and the possibility to experience the Olympic Games again."

Argentina must rally again

Argentina have proved they can win big games without Ginobili.

At the 2007 FIBA Americas Championship in Las Vegas, Hernandez's side that was without many of its top players won the silver medal to earn a trip to the Beijing Games.

The following year in China, Argentina lost Ginobili to injury in the first half of their Semi-Final against Team USA but hit back in the bronze-medal game and defeated Lithuania.

Last year in San Juan, Scola and Prigioni again led Argentina to the podium as they earned another trip to the FIBA World Championship.

"In any case, the heart, talent and temperament of the team is not under discussion, with or without me," Ginobili said.

"That was proved in Las Vegas in 2007 and in Puerto Rico in 2009.

"If you add Chapu (Nocioni), Fabri (Oberto) and a few more, as always, we will fight for the top places and reach the podium again.

"I will be watching from San Antonio as a number one fan, with (sons) Dante and Nicola with their little jerseys on helping from afar."

FIBA