FIBA Africa and Republic of Congo Government sign letter of agreement for FIBA AfroBasket 2017
BRAZZAVILLE (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - FIBA Africa and the Ministry of Sports of the Republic of the Congo on Monday signed a Letter of Agreement for the hosting of FIBA AfroBasket 2017.
BRAZZAVILLE (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) - FIBA Africa and the Ministry of Sports of the Republic of the Congo on Monday signed a Letter of Agreement for the hosting of FIBA AfroBasket 2017.
The meeting held in the Congolese capital city of Brazzaville allowed FIBA Africa officials to visit the site of the competition.
Leon Alfred Opimbat, the Minister of Sports and Physical Education, ensured his Government's commitment to organise FIBA Africa’s flagship event.
"By awarding the hosting duties of this tournament to our country, FIBA Africa has expressed recognition to our organisation ability," he told FIBA.com.
The Central African country demonstrated an impressive ability in hosting high-level tournaments at the 2015 All-Africa Games held last September at Kintele Sports Complex on the outskirts of Brazzaville.
So it came as no surprise that, at its most recent meeting, FIBA Africa's Central Board approved the Congolese bid to host the tournament for the first time.
FIBA Africa President and FIBA Vice-President Hamane Niang congratulated his counterpart for the commitment to developing and promote the sport in the country.
From left to right: Fode Amara Conde, President of FIBA Africa's Competitions Commission; FIBA Africa President, Hamane Niang; Congolese Minister of Sports and Physical Education, Leon Alfred Opimbat
"The signing of this document is the start of a collaboration that will help us promote this event," said Niang.
FIBA Africa will provide the Congolese Basketball Federation (FECOKET) all the organisational assistance in its capacity for the success of the upcoming event. We urge FECOKET to build a competitive national team for a better performance at the tournament scheduled for the summer 2017. - Niang
The FIBA AfroBasket 2017 will mark the end of the biennial cycle of the event.
With FIBA's new competition system coming into effect from 2017, the tournament will subsequently take place every four years, starting in 2021.
FIBA