VEN - OQT paves the way for Venezuela to host another big event

CARACAS (2013 FIBA Americas Championship) - Venezuela put on quite a show this summer when the country hosted the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT).

After its national team edged Nigeria in its first game, though, Venezuela suffered a defeat to Lithuania that ultimately prevented it from advancing to the next stage.

Lithuania, Nigeria and Russia emerged from the 12-team field to earn places at the London Games.

The fans continued to show up and support the OQT, though, and the organization was close to impeccable, so it's come as no surprise that Venezuela has been chosen to host the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship.

The tournament will serve as a qualifying event for the Americas for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain.

"We are grateful to the FIBA Americas for placing their trust in us as a Federation, as a government, and as a country, to organize a tournament as important as the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship.", said Carmelo Cortez, the president of the Venezuelan Federation of Basketball.

"We are happy and we are enjoying this great news that brings great responsibility, forcing us to be equal or better than what we were in this past FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

"It's a big commitment that we want and we know that we will succeed.”

Venezuela should have one of the leading sides at the FIBA Americas Championship with Greivis Vasquez among the players expected to once again suit up for the national team.

The 1.98m guard is a player in the NBA with the New Orleans Hornets and he had two electrifying displays at the OQT.

"There were many factors that were decisive, and of course, the organizational capacity shown by the Venezuelan Federation of Basketball, the Ministry of Popular Power for Sports and the Bolivarian Government of Venezuela in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament was key in our decision as they all are still important components again in the proposal we received for this 2013 championship," said Alberto Garcia, Secretary General of FIBA Americas.

"The results of that tournament were incredible and the successful collaboration of all parties involved in organizing the event gives us confidence that our most important championship is in the right hands."

FIBA