[ Last Updated 2 March 2009 ]
Short Description
The government has today announced it will contribute $150,000 to the FIBA under 19 World Championships for Men (basketball), being held in Auckland from July 2-12, 2009.
The government has today announced it will contribute $150,000 to the FIBA under 19 World Championships for Men (basketball), being held in Auckland from July 2-12, 2009.
The grant will come from the New Zealand Major Events Fund, administered by the Ministry of Economic Development to support major sporting and cultural events.
It was announced at today’s official FIBA tournament draw ceremony in Auckland by Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye, representing Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee.
“This tournament is important in many ways. For a start, basketball is the world’s second most popular sport, and this tournament is the third largest basketball event on the global calendar. Close to a quarter of a million Kiwis regularly play basketball,” Nikki Kaye said.
“But it’s also important because of the opportunities major events present for a country. They can have benefits economically, socially and culturally. They give us the chance to showcase New Zealand to the rest of the world. One hundred and forty countries will take the broadcast rights to this tournament and it’s estimated there could be around 100 million viewers.”
Sixteen of the world’s best teams will take part in the tournament with 62 games to be played at two venues – the North Shore Events Centre in Takapuna and the ASB Stadium in Kohimarama.
“It’s great to see Auckland coming together to stage this event to what I’m sure will be world class standard. It’s the sort of united front that we’re seeing in preparations for the 2011 Rugby World Cup as well,” Nikki Kaye said.
“New Zealand has a growing reputation as a world class destination for major events, and tournaments like this one help build our knowledge and expertise so we can attract and host more major events in the future. That’s something the government believes is worthwhile investing in.”
Basketball New Zealand chief executive Dale Stephens says it is a real honour for New Zealand to host such a prestigious tournament on the basketball calendar.
“It’s another sign that we have become a recognised player in a truly global sport,” he said.
"The funding we've received from New Zealand Major Events means we’ll be able to deliver something bigger than the basketball tournament itself. It will help us with our legacy plan of lifting the profile and popularity of the sport here, and there’ll also be many other benefits both for the Auckland community and for New Zealand. "