Erzik said this competition could open the door to various other international competitions. “For example, South Africa, which hosted the 2010 World Cup, is now a candidate for the 2020 Olympics because of the great job it did on that tournament. [International Federation of Association Football] FIFA President Joseph Sepp Blatter, as a member of the International Olympics Committee [IOC], said South Africa could successfully host the Olympic Games. This owes entirely to the success of South Africa [in hosting the World Cup]. If we are good hosts of competitions such as the world basketball championship, this would greatly improve our chances of hosting the Olympics,” he explained.Erzik also said, “It will be very pleasing to watch this important championship, which includes the most important matches in international basketball, take place here in Turkey.” He added that he was proud of his country for hosting this contest, saying: “The best players and teams from around the world will be here. Turkey will become a leader in international basketball with this event.”
Erzik recalled that Turkey had hosted important basketball championships before. “The [FIBA] European Basketball Championship in 2001, which we hosted, was also very successful. I think the positive impression we gave at that competition greatly contributed to our earning the right to host this event. I send my congratulations to Basketball Federation President Turgay Demirel and his colleagues for their success in bringing this competition, which is considered to be one of the most important sporting events in the world, to Turkey.”
He said millions of basketball fans will watch the matches. “But more importantly, everyone will get to know Turkey better. In addition to this, many foreign guests will come to our country to follow their teams closely.
