13/12/2005Press Release no. 42: "BAD Badtz-Maru" launched as official mascot for Japan 2006
Photo Gallery | Download Mascot (Media only)
GENEVA/TOKYO (FIBA World Championship 2006) - "BAD Badtz-Maru", a famous character in Japan and the Far East, was launched today as the official mascot for the FIBA World Championship 2006 in Japan.
Sanrio Far East Company, Ltd., one of the biggest merchandising companies in Japan, has entered into an agreement with FIBA to use BAD Badtz-Maru, a black penguin, together with his friends and family as the official mascot and merchandising line of the event.
"We are delighted to have such an experienced and well known partner for our most prestigious event," said FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann during the launch.
"It is our aim to use the mascot to further promote the event in Japan, especially with the younger generation."
Sanrio Far East Company, Ltd. Managing Director Andy Y. Toyama stated: "BAD Badtz-Maru has a wicked personality, which is very unique for this kind of character, but he is widely loved throughout consumer markets not only in Japan but also in Asia, the United States and Europe."
"In response to the mission to bring basketball closer to women, children and the rest of the population, we will expand various commercial products in view of the championship."
The mascot image can be downloaded by the media for editorial and promotional purposes here (4.4 MB).
JABBA President: "We want to create a legacy for basketball in Japan"
The President of the Japanese Basketball Association (JABBA), Mr. Kihachiro Onitsuka, and the Secretary General of the FIBA World Championship 2006 Organising Committee, Mr. Takeshi Ishikawa underlined that the preparations for the event are going according to plan.
"We are in time with all our preparations and will be ready to welcome the best 24 basketball nations of the world in Japan," said Mr. Onitsuka. "Our goal is to organize a successful championship and create a legacy for the sport of basketball in this country."
FIBA Secretary General: "The eyes of the world of basketball will be on Japan"
"We are very confident, that Japan will guarantee a perfect organization for our World Championship," added Patrick Baumann.
"The arenas, the hotels, the local transport between the sites will be at the highest standards. As for our previous World Championships we expect huge media interest. The eyes of the world of basketball will be on Japan between 19 August and 3 September 2006."
FIBA World Championship - One World - One Title: Event Outline
The FIBA World Championship is played every 4 years and determines the best basketball nation of the world. The first World Championship was played in 1950 in Argentina and has since then been organised 14 times.
The 2006 edition will be played in Japan from 19th August until 3rd September in five different cities.
FIBA has increased the number of teams playing at the FIBA World Championship from 16 to 24 teams because of the increased level of basketball around the world and the increasing number of competitive teams at the highest level.
The following 24 teams will compete in the event:
| Angola Argentina Australia Brazil China France Germany Greece |
Italy Japan Lebanon Lithuania New Zealand Nigeria Panama Puerto Rico |
Qatar Senegal Serbia & Montenegro Slovenia Spain Turkey Venezuela USA |
The teams will play against each other in the preliminary phase in four groups of 6 teams. The 4 top teams from each group will then qualify directly for the Eighth-Finals, Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and Finals.
All the games from the Eighth-Finals to the Finals will be played on a one-game elimination basis.
The draw for the 2006 FIBA World Championship will take place on 15th January 2006 in the New Takanawa Prince Hotel in Tokyo, Japan. The 24 teams will be drawn into four groups of 6 teams each.
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