CANADA BASKETBALL PARTNERS WITH 2021 CANADA SUMMER GAMES FOR FIBA U18 AMERICAS CHAMPIONSHIP 2018
TORONTO, Ont. (December 21, 2017) - Canada Basketball announced Thursday that the organization has partnered with the 2021 Canada Summer Games Host Society, along with the City of St. Catharines, for next summer's FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2018 (June 10-16, 2018).
This move comes after the event's original partner, the Niagara Sports Commission, closed in November.
"We are truly grateful to 2021 Canada Summer Games Host Society for doing quick work to ensure that the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2018 is a success," said Michele O'Keefe, President & CEO, Canada Basketball. "Canada Basketball reached out to the Host Society Board of Directors and they readily agreed to assist. We are all very excited and look forward to working together to make this a wonderful event."
As preparations continue in the Niagara Region, and its 12 local municipalities, to host the Canada Summer Games in August 2021, the Host Society Board of Directors came to the aid of Canada Basketball by agreeing to support the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2018.
"When the opportunity was presented by Canada Basketball to partner on the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2018, our Board of Directors unanimously decided to assist," said Doug Hamilton, Chair, 2021 Canada Summer Games Host Society Board of Directors. "While the Canada Summer Games are still a few years away, this tournament will be an important step as we get set to welcome teams from across the country to the Niagara region in 2021."
The seven-day tournament sees the top eight teams from the FIBA Americas zone vying for a top-three finish to qualify for the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup.
Canada's youth men are currently ranked 3rd in the world and 2nd in the Americas. Athletes born January 1, 2000 or later will be eligible to participate in the FIBA U18 Americas Championship 2018.
ABOUT CANADA GAMES
The Canada Games are Canada's largest multi-sport games. Held once every two years, alternating between winter and summer games, the Canada Games represent the highest level of national competition for up and coming provincial and territorial athletes. The games have been hosted in every province at least once since their inception in Quebec City during Canada's centennial in 1967. This year's summer games took place in Winnipeg and marked the 50th anniversary of the Canada Summer Games. The games are proud of their contribution to Canada's sport development system in addition to their lasting legacy of sport facilities, community pride and national unity.
The organization of the Canada Games is made possible thanks to the contribution and support of the Government of Canada, provincial/territory governments, the host societies, host municipalities, corporate partners and the Canada Games Council.
ABOUT CANADA BASKETBALL
Canada Basketball is the National Sporting Organization for the sport of Basketball in Canada. Canada Basketball is respected worldwide and is recognized by the International Amateur Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Government of Canada as the sole governing body of the sport of amateur basketball in Canada. Canada Basketball, a not-for-profit organization, represents all basketball interests, provides leadership, coordination and direction in all areas of the sport of basketball.