FIBA - Winner of weekend trip to Istanbul named

GENEVA (2010 FIBA World Championship) - The winner of a weekend trip to Istanbul to attend the Final Round of the 2010 FIBA World Championship has been named.

Michele Pettene of Italy expressed the depth of his passion for basketball and in return has earned an all expenses paid trip for two to Istanbul to catch live action from the biggest international basketball tournament.

Mr Pettene and the accompanying person of his choice will travel to Istanbul on Friday 3rd September and take in the Eight-Finals the following day, before heading home on Sunday. 

More than 2,000 people logged on www.whybasketball.net to fill out a form and a chance to win the basketball experience of a lifetime.

The participants were asked to explain what can be learned through basketball and what the game means to them.

Mr Pettene answered: "During our life, basketball can teach us everything…or it can teach us nothing: it's all about heart. Your heart. And my heart belongs to basketball. As Allen Iverson says: 'It's not the size that counts, it's the size of your heart that counts'.

"Basketball is everything, it's a true metaphor of life. You can win, as you can win at work or with your girlfriend. You can lose as you can lose your health or a friendship. You can learn the meaning of 'group', 'teamwork', 'together', 'sacrifice', 'effort', 'sharing', 'path', 'frustration', 'redemption', 'joy', 'glory'...or simply you can find new friends, a family, a home."

The 2010 FIBA World Championship gets underway on Saturday 28th August.

The First Round will be played in Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir and Kayseri.

FIBA