Latvian Basketball Association to assist Ukrainian Basketball Federation in organizing WC qualifiers in Riga

• Published date: 18 May 2022
• Publication title: LETA

The Latvian Basketball Association (LBA) will assist the Ukrainian Basketball Federation in organizing its upcoming FIBA 2023 World Cup qualifiers in Riga, the LBA announced on Wednesday.

"In the circumstances of the war caused by Russia, it is important to support Ukraine in all possible ways. In these difficult times, the Ukrainian people need all the positive emotions they can get, including successful starts in international sports competitions," comments Raimonds Vejonis, President of LBA.

He emphasizes that the LBA has done and will do its best to make the Ukrainian national team feel at home in Riga, and thanks everyone who supported the LBA's initiative.

"We are very grateful to the LBA, which gave asylum to our national team at the end of February. The LBA and the Latvian basketball community, as true friends, have also welcomed a large number of our children in difficult times, who are not only safe, but also have the opportunity to continue playing basketball," says Volodymyr Drabikovskyi, the secretary general of the Ukrainian Basketball Federation.

He adds that the Ukrainians are dreaming of holding the national team matches at the Kyiv Sports Palace, but at present it is unfortunately not possible.

"In such a situation, Latvia is a very good option, because there are a lot...