CZE - Venues pass tests with flying colours ahead of World Championship

PRAGUE (2010 FIBA World Championship for Women) - The 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women may still be a bit more than two months away, but the preparations for the event are currently at their peak.

Tests have taken place over the last few weeks to ensure the readiness of two of the three arenas where the event will be held and both venues passed with flying colours.

In early June, a junior tournament was held in Ostrava to test the newly-installed Mondo court flooring.

“We tested the cooperation of all organising units, the time-keeping equipment and other matters related to the world championship,” said Vladimír Šafařík, who heads the Ostrava Organising Committee.

“We even practiced the changing of the backboards on each basket and I am happy to say that everything is completely in order.”

A thorough test was needed in Ostrava where all the equipment – the flooring, backstop units, scoreboard just to mention a few – will only be installed at CEZ Arena in the days leading up to the tournament as the arena will host the European Table Teniis Championship in September.

Karlovy Vary’s KV Arena was put to the test this past weekend when it hosted an international tournament featuring the national teams from the Czech Republic, Romania and Tunisia as well as the home team of Karlovy Vary.

“Considering that this was the first time ever that basketball was played in this beautiful and modern area, it was necessary to test everything and avoid any problems,” said Ladislav Jirsa, chairman of the Karlovy Vary Organising Committee.

“Everything went according to plan and the arena in Karlovy Vary will be a more than worthy setting for the final battles of the World Championship.”

The third and final venue, the Vodova Arena in the Czech’s basketball city of Brno, will be tested in July.

LOC