The Angolan government disagreed with the Angolan Basketball Federation’s decision to run for the 29th edition of the 2017 Men’s Afrobasket, following the withdrawal of the Congo, originally designated to host the competition, The APS learned on Wednesday from an official Angolan source.
“Until today, the Angolan government does not assume this decision”, which led Fiba-Afrique to entrust the organization of Afrobasket 2017 to Angola, through the Angolan Declared the Angolan Minister of Youth and Sports, Albino de Conceiçao, in remarks reported by TPA, the Angolan Public Television.
“We are at an election year, and there are other priorities. Until today, the Angolan government does not approve of the candidacy of the Angolan Basketball Federation to host this competition, “he said.
Angola was the host country for the competition after the withdrawal of the Congo, which the government cited economic reasons related to the cost of the organization.
According to the Angolan Minister of Sports, “the organization of an event of this type, requires the approval by the state authorities and the government entities. It presupposes the taking into account of several organizational factors such as accommodation, transport and the security of delegations “.
The Afrobasket 2017 may not be held for a fourth time in Angola, with the budget linked in particular to the reception of such a competition not being foreseen, said the secretary general of the committee Paralympic Games.
“This is an international competition whose expenses have not been foreseen in the general budget of the State. It is a competition that, if organized by Angola, is carried by the name of the country, “argued Antonio Da Luz.
The Angolan Basketball Federation, which has nominated the country to replace the Congo, has not yet reacted to this reiterated position through these official outings.
Two other countries, namely Egypt and Tunisia, had applied to host the competition after the announcement of the withdrawal of the Congolese candidacy.
