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http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/inte/p/newsid/30285/arti.htmlTUR - Turkey hit stretch run for 2010 FIBA World Championship
GENEVA (2010 FIBA World Championship) - Over the weekend in Geneva, Spain edged out Italy and China in the race to host the 2014 FIBA World Championship.
Before that big basketball extravaganza, however, Turkey will stage the 2010 event.
Turkish Basketball Federation president Turgay Demirel admits it has been a huge undertaking to get ready for the sport’s premier international competition with 24 teams from around the globe taking part in the FIBA World Championship.
Demirel was also in Geneva to meet with the FIBA Central Board and he spoke to Jeff Taylor for FIBA.com.
FIBA: Turgay, time flies. The FIBA World Championship in your country is quickly approaching. Tell us about the whole process of getting ready for the event.
Demirel: It’s the best and most important event of FIBA, and we have the responsibility to do it perfect. Every year, the level is increasing – both the level of organization and the level of basketball. In Turkey, some people might remember the European Championship we held in 2001. In that European Championship, we did a perfect job and everybody that was a part of it enjoyed the basketball and enjoyed being a part of it. We’re trying to exceed that level next year, and not only during the World Championship but before and after we want to use this as a dynamic for improving basketball not only in Turkey but in neighbouring countries. This is a big task for us. Our team is working very hard for this, with promoting basketball, with getting young people into our sport. That’s one of the main goals during this organization.
FIBA: Why should a fan go to Turkey next year to watch this FIBA World Championship? Talk a little about where the games are going to be held and what else there is to do in Turkey.
Demirel: Turkey is one of the best destinations for tourism in the world, in the top 10. So Turkey always expects a lot of tourists. This time, we will combine tourism with basketball. I’m sure that from all over Europe, all of the countries that are playing in the tournament and even some countries that are playing in the tournament but are lovers of basketball, will travel to Turkey to watch the games in Antalya, Izmir, Ankara and Istanbul, where the Finals will be played. So we will have programs for all the fans who are there to support their teams. As you know, the United States as Olympic winners are one of the teams in the tournament and Turkey as hosts. The other four (wild cards) will be determined in the (FIBA) Central Board meeting in Izmir in December. So we will only be able to know all of the 24 teams in December. Then we will have the draw and find out which teams will play in which group in which city. All those things have been planned and we have some agreements with ticketing companies so we will have a pool for fans who want to come. As soon as their countries’ groups and cities are known, they will be able to purchase those tickets. So we will welcome all of these fans for this two-week event into Turkey.
FIBA: What has been the biggest challenge to get all of this ready? Has it been getting the arenas built or other infrastructure issues?
Demirel: Yes, it was the venues. We want to leave a legacy after the tournament is over and we have projected some new arenas in Ankara, in Antalya, also in Istanbul. Those will be finished. There have been some difficulties because of political changes and there have been municipality changes. Turkey is a well known country for construction, and they are working fast and hard so we will not have any problems. We will have all of our test events beginning of next spring. I must say the biggest challenge was the venues.
FIBA: We all loved watching Turkey play at the 2006 FIBA World Championship when they caught a lot of people by surprise. Are we going to see a good Turkey team next year?
Demirel: Well, during the European Championship (2001), we played in the title game because of a lot of spectator support and due to a lot of motivation for the players. They did a great job. The next year, our first appearance in a FIBA World Championship in Indianapolis, Turkey did a great job by finishing in ninth place. And then in Japan, as you said, we had a young team and surprised many participants by achieving sixth place and playing well in every game until the end. We want to have a similar team in Istanbul with the support of the fans. We want to have a better position than the last team and I’m sure the kids, the players, will be successful. We are hoping that we’ll have no injuries and have our best players on the court when we go up against the best athletes in the world.
FIBA: Hedo Turgoglu, a Turkey national team star, has been incredible in the NBA this season with the Orlando Magic, particularly in the play-offs. There must be a big buzz about him in Turkey.
Demirel: Hedo’s the leader of our team. He’s having a tremendous season and I’m actually leaving (Saturday May 23) to go and watch his two games at home (against the Cleveland Cavaliers) to support him. We are expecting him to participate in our camp this summer and to play in the European Championship but more important than that is next year’s World Championship.
FIBA: So you are going to Orlando to see Hedo now? Who is going to pick up the dinner tab? Will he pay for dinner or you?
Demirel: (Smiling) He pays for dinner. Actually, on Monday night, he’ll take us out for dinner but I’m sure he’ll want us to host it.
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