| Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al-Thani
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| President |
| FIBA Asia |
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It is my privilege and gives me
immense pleasure in welcoming the basketball fans from all
over the world to the 26th FIBA Asia Championship to be
played in Wuhan (China). |
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The 26th FIBA Asia Championship
brings together 16 top men’s National Teams from five
different sub zones of FIBA Asia – each adding their own
variety to the fare. |
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Undoubtedly, the winners of the
26th FIBA Asia Championship are the true Champions of FIBA
Asia. |
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That the champions of the 26th
FIBA Asia Championship will qualify directly to the 2012
London Olympics is an added incentive for the champions. |
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The second and third placed
teams too will get another opportunity in qualifying for the
2012 London Olympics. |
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I expect the race to these three spots to be fiercely
competitive and interesting. |
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The FIBA Asia Championship invariably acts as a reality
check for the progress achieved by National Teams in FIBA
Asia. |
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And given the past experience, I expect all the 16 teams to
put up a better and more organized show than they have in
their previous appearance. |
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I have no doubt in my expressing immense confidence that the
26th FIBA Asia Championship will be hosted by the Chinese
Basketball in an exemplary manner. |
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| China’s reputation to host international
sport events with clinical efficiency and colorful panache
is well documented and needs no elaboration. |
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| The manner in which Wuhan hosted the Draw
Ceremony was example enough for the dedication and focus of
the LOC. |
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| I am told that there are more than 500
registered basketball volunteers in Wuhan. With such a force
of dedicated people I am sure the 26th FIBA Asia
Championship will be one of the best we have seen so far. |
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| Good Luck to all the teams! |
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