By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis visited Beijing where he met with the leaders of China Local Organizing Committee as they discussed the progress of preparations for the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Zagklis noted FIBA’s commitment to making the biggest-ever World Cup but also their desire the leave a lasting influence beyond it:
“FIBA is strongly committed to China for the biggest-ever World Cup, of course, but also to build and leave a lasting legacy in the country long after the competition finishes in Beijing on September 15. We fully intend on helping identify, nurture and train the top Chinese basketball talents – players, coaches, referees. This is the mission of the FIBA Basketball Academy in China and of the Mini World Cup activities across all eight host cities”, he said, per fiba.basetball.
Zagklis met with Mr. Gou Zhongwen, China’s Minister of General Administration of Sports, and Mr. Zhang Jiandong, Vice-Mayor of Beijing as well as the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) President Yao Ming.
They also talked about future collaboration as well as the status of basketball in China which generates great participation numbers among the younger generation.
Photo Credit: FIBA