Greetings

Greetings by the Deputy Minister of Culture competent for Sports issues, Mr. Yiannis Ioannides

The undertaking of the organization of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Men in Athens in the summer of 2008, proves, once again, the trust that the international sports movement places in our country and in the human resources that provide their services in such sector for the undertaking of sports events of worldwide range.

Now, we are undoubtedly part of among the big powers of the sector with the knowhow for drawing up perfect candidacy folders and we fight for and claim top sports events continuously reinforcing our country’s athletic presence and extroversion.

Now, our national team has every opportunity to prepare itself in the best possible way, in order to claim before the people of Greece , one of the three positions that will qualify for the Beijing Olympic Games.

I am certain that our country, once more, delivers an impeccable organization both to the athletes as well as to the visitors. I, wholeheartedly, wish the best of luck to our national basketball team.

Greetings by the President of HBF Andreas Miaoulis on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Basketball Federation

The International Federation assigned, once again, to Greece and to the Hellenic Basketball Federation a top international sports event, such as the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, in which 12 leading teams of the international stage shall participate, out of which 3 shall qualify for the Beijing Olympic Games.

The assignment of such tournament to the Hellenic Basketball Federation undoubtedly constitutes a recognition of our Federation’s expertise in the undertaking and successful organisation of top sports events.

The athletic importance of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament demonstrates the increased international interest shown both by the participating National Teams, as well as by the Mass Media and the millions of fans.

The Calendar Draw is included within the framework of the organization of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Such event presents its own particular interest and shall give the opportunity to the Athletic Federations to draw up the Schedule for the preparation of their National Teams.

I wish to all National Teams partaking in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament every success in the fulfillment of their goals in this top international sports event.