CANADA BASKETBALL BOARD SUPPORTS SENIOR WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM BID TO HOST OLYMPIC QUALIFIER

Edmonton, AB May 26, 2014 – Canada Basketball’s Board of Directors has supported the bid for the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship for Women.

“At Canada Basketball’s annual general meeting this past weekend in Toronto, the Board overwhelming supported the decision to host the event,” said Michele O’Keefe, Executive Director of Canada Basketball. “Canada Basketball and Basketball Alberta have a strong case to host the championships in Edmonton.”

The 2015 FIBA Americas Championship for Women would take place in August 2015, will see 10 teams from the America’s zone compete in an eight-day tournament where the winner gains a berth for the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio.

“The opportunity to win an Olympic berth on home soil is rare,” said John Mills, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Canada Basketball. “Our role is to put our teams in the best position to succeed. To bring this event to the City of Edmonton would be an extraordinary advantage to our Senior Women’s National Team as well inspire a younger generation of basketball players.”

Edmonton is the home to the Senior Women’s National Team.

“We are pleased to be able to move forward with this proposal. Hosting international competitions is a key element in the strategic growth of our sport here in Canada,” said O’Keefe.

“We are thankful of the partnership with Basketball Alberta and the support of the City of Edmonton, Province of Alberta and Sport Canada, that enables us to pursue this exciting initiative.”

The 2015 FIBA America’s Championship for Women will continue to build basketball in Alberta.

“Having a world-class facility like the Saville Community Sports Centre and the incredible support of the entire community, we are aggressively pursuing this prestigious event,” said Paul Sir, Executive Director of Basketball Alberta. “This event provides the opportunity for local and national partners to be showcased on the international basketball stage.”

The decision by FIBA Americas on the host country for this event will be made on July 21, 2014.

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