LBA - Official introduction of Afrobasket Libya 2009 in Tripoli

TRIPOLI (Afrobasket 2009) - The 25th FIBA African Championship for Men, Afrobasket Libya 2009 was introduced to local and international media at a well attended press conference on May 12 at the Shahat Hall (2) of Corinthia Bab Africa Hotel, Tripoli, Libya.

Notable personalities present to address the media includes President of the Libyan Basketball Federation (LBF) Omar T Elbarshushi, top-shot of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC); Rene Williams Koue Bi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Afrisat International (Media and Marketing Partner of the event); Cheb Khaled the world famous Algerian musician; Omran Omar Alzabadi, Head of Sales, Publicity and Promotion at Afriqiyah Airways and Adil Algadhafi Ali the Corporate Sales Manager of National Commercial Bank (NCB).

Also present to address the media were the coach of the Libyan national team Kevin Nickelberry, and Traore Salif (a.k.a. Asalfo) who represented Magic System, the famous Francophone West African music group.

Afriqiyah Airlines and National Commercial Bank (NCB) were introduced as the Official Carrier and Official Banking Partner for Afrobasket Libya 2009, respectively.

Dr. Talal Abu Khatwa who delivered the welcome address on behalf of the Libyan Basketball Federation (LBF) expressed gratitude for the support of Libyan leader and president, Muammar Al Gadhafi and the President of the Libyan Olympic Committee Dr. Mohammed Gadhafi for backing the successful bid of the Libya Basketball Federation to stage the continet's biggest basketball show. .

The LOC bigwig, Rene Williams Koue Bi announced that the invited artists will perform at a Gala Noght on May 28.

He said further that the night will celebrate the “Gathering of the Youth of Africa” that Afrobasket Libya 2009 will serve to spearhead the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Al Fateh Revolution.

He pointed out the importance of sports in the development of the individual and the nations as a whole as such, the need for institutions, corporate bodies and all other stakeholders to invest in the commercial development of basketball and all other sports in Africa this, according to the LOC top-shot will help develop the African sporting industry to world standards and further the economic development of the continent as well.

Elbarshushi assured all gathered that Libya was ready to host Africa and the world, come the 5th of August, 2009. He said preparations were well advanced and the LOC had great activities planned for the tournament.

The artists present at the press conference; Cheb Khaled (Algeria), Traore Salif (Magic System, Cote d’Ivoire), Ismail Aljili (Libya), and Emad Elshitiwe (Libya) all expressed the joy and honour they felt for being part of this great event. They pledged their support to assist in the promotion of the Championship.

The song for the competition, which was composed and produced by Alrouqi and sung by the Libyan musician Emad Elshitiwe was introduced.

The coach of the Libyan basketball team, Nickelberry, admitted that there was a lot of work to be done, but gave the assurance that the team will be ready come the 5th of August to pit themselves against the rest of the teams who will make it to the tournament. He outlined the preparation schedule for the team which includes training camps in France and Turkey. He also underscored his own commitment and the commitment of the Libyan Basketball Federation to the development of the players and the team.

The official Launch of Afrobasket Libya 2009, a Dinner Gala Night will be held on 28th May, 2009 at 20:00hrs at the Magna Ballroom of Al Waddan Intercontinental Hotel, Tripoli. Program for the event includes a presentation of the Logo of the Tournament and the Ambassadors of the event. There will also be a Youth Concert at 21:00hrs in the Al Hadika’al Kubra (the Grand Park), Tripoli. These events will feature performances by Cheb Khaled, Magic System and other Libyan artists.

By Olusegun Ikuesan
FIBA Africa