Ukraine Gives Up Right To Stage Eurobasket 2015 Amid Current Political, Financial Situation

Ukraine "has given up the hosting rights for next year's European basketball championship due to its political and financial situation but would like to stage Eurobasket 2017," according to REUTERS. Tournament Dir Markiyan Lubkivsky said, "I cannot imagine how to carry out preparations in the current severe economic and political conditions. ... It is obvious our country cannot afford to support private investors building the arenas or fund preparations that we are responsible for. Moreover, the local organizing committee feels (there is a) lack of time." Ukraine is ready, however, to ask FIBA if the country could instead stage the Eurobasket 2017, "the hosting of which is in tune with the state's strategy of forging closer ties with Europe" (REUTERS, 3/19). The AP reported Ukraine was awarded the biennial 24-team championship in Dec. '11. The tournament "would have been played in five Ukrainian cities" (AP, 3/19). France has offered to host the 2015 tournament instead (SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, 3/19).