CBA-Euroleague Challenge presented in China
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Preparations for the upcoming CBA-Euroleague Challenge 2007 are well underway in the host city Kunshan, where a pre-event press conference took place on August 30 at the Zhaolong Hotel Beijing with a host of media members on hand. The guests at the press conference were Hu Jiashi, Vice President of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA); Xu Yubin, director of the Kunshan Physical Administration of Sports; Tong Jianqiang, the director of basketball operations for Infront China; and Andreas Biffiger, the associate director of basketball operations at Infront China, who represented Euroleague Basketball. All addressed the media – which included eight television stations – and answered questions about the inaugural CBA-Euroleague Challenge 2007, which takes place at Kunshan New Stadium from September 30 to October 2. A statement prepared by Euroleague CEO Jordi Bertomeu, who was unable to attend the press conference, was also read and distributed to the media.
CBA-Euroleague Challenge 2007 is a ground-breaking showcase of four games and parallel cross-cultural exchanges. It is the first event of its kind in China and one of the biggest such basketball showcases in the run-up to the Beijing 2008 Olympics. The event brings together teams from four countries on three continents for a pair of double-headers on September 30 and October 1. Euroleague runner-up CSKA Moscow will take on the Sydney Kings of Australia in the tournament's first game on Sunday, September 30, to be followed by Team China vs. Benetton Treviso. The next day, Monday, October 1, Benetton faces against Sydney and Team China plays CSKA. Team China and Sydney Kings will meet in a single game on October 2.
Press conference statements
Xu Yubin, director of the Kunshan Physical Administration of Sports:
"It is an honor having two of the best teams from the Euroleauge play in Kunshan together with the Sydney Kings. We will provide the best hospitality to our valued guests and make this event an unforgettable one. Best wishes to the teams, and the entire city of Kunshan is looking forward to hosting this event."
Hu Jiashi, Vice President of the Chinese Basketball Association:
"The main goal for the CBA this year is to play highly competitive games against the strongest teams to prepare Team China for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. We played in the NBA summer camp, Stankovic Cup, and had a tour in Europe. The highlight of this season will be the games in Kunshan and we are delighted to play against CSKA Moscow and Benetton Basket Tamoil in what will be the first of such a competition on Chinese soil."
Tong Jianqiang, the director of basketball operations for Infront China:
"Kunshan and its people have shown great professionalism in the preparation of this event. Our initial venue inspection showed great facilities and an experienced local organizing committee that is committed to hosting another international basketball event after last year's Stankovic Cup. Infront is confident that, together with Euroleague and the local organizing committee, an great event can be organized for fans in Kunshan and around the globe."
Euroleague CEO Jordi Bertomeu written statements
First of all I would like to thank our partners in this project, the CBA and Infront, and also the city of Kunshan for all of their collaborations in order to make this project a reality.
We are very proud about the potential to offer fans an unprecedented experience in China. This event brings two of the best teams and players in Europe to China, and symbolizes the ever-growing popularity of basketball worldwide.
The participants who will be acting as the Euroleague Basketball ambassadors in this pioneering challenge are two of the best exponents of basketball hailing from the old continent. CSKA Moscow of Russia have amassed an incredible trophy haul, including five Euroleague titles. The CSKA team is a star studded collection of athletes, including current Euroleague MVP Theodoros Papaloukas. Meanwhile, Benetton Basket Tamoil from Treviso is one of the most historical Italian teams, having twice finished runner-up in the Euroleague as well as winning many domestic over their 53 years of existence.
Both Euroleague Basketball and its teams are very excited by this global project and by facing such important teams as Team China, the current Asian champion with the local hero Yao Ming, and Sidney Kings from Australia, one of the top teams in the Australian League.
We hope that this partnership is just the starting point of giving the possibility to Chinese fans to enjoy more games featuring Euroleague Basketball teams during the coming years.
I hope you all enjoy the CBA-Euroleague Challenge 2007, and I would also like to invite all Chinese fans to attend the games and experience an environment that will please you all.
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Friday, September 14, 2007
Euroleague.net
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