Slovenian basketball fans are breathing a sigh of relief after their federal goverment said additional funding for EuroBasket 2013 was secured if the country is as expected awarded the event.
The Balkan nation is suffering through tough financial times at the moment and Ljubljana had delayed a decision on whether to support financially the country’s bid to host EuroBasket 2013. But the Ministry of Education and Sport announced on Nov 25 that the government would foot the bill.
“The Government has discussed again the proposal of the Basketball Federation of Slovenia for the organisation of the European Basketball Championship and confirmed the decisions adopted on 24 August 2010 to contribute additional funds for direct material costs connected to the organisation of the event. The Government has earmarked EUR 1,160,200 in the budget if Slovenia is awarded the organisation of the competition at the meeting of the Fiba Europe executive committee in Munich on 4 and 5 December 2010.” – The Ministry of Education and Sport
The government is expected to pay governing body FIBA Europe between 6.5 and 8 million euro for the hosting rights for the 2013 event . And Slovenia is struggling with the effects of a financial crisis and is currently looking to cut costs.
In May 2010, Slovenia was one of six nations expressing interest of hosting the bi-ennial tournament along with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany and Italy. Italy and Slovenia were the only two countries to submit bids in September with Italy withdrawing their candidacy on October 15, leaving Slovenia as the sole bidder.
Germany and France announced earlier this week that they would combine to bid to host the EuroBasket 2015.
FIBA Europe executive committee will meet on December 5, 2010 in Munich to award the hosting rights for EuroBasket 2013.
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