UK Sport Reveal Basketball Funding for Rio 2016

UK Sport have made a major U-turn today by revealing they will award funding to Basketball for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

The announcement comes after Basketball made an informal representation to UK Sport’s Board earlier this week. Basketball had originally been allocated no funds for Rio 2016.

Basketball presented new and compelling performance information that reprioritised the sport and the Board agreed to further investment.UK Sport’s award will be on a one year conditional basis with the following three years funding released only on the fulfilment of strict performance criteria. The exact amount of investment to be awarded to these sports will be determined through further dialogue with the sport in the coming weeks. UK Sport also added funding for Wheelchair Fencing.

British Basketball’s Performance Chairman, Roger Moreland said: “We are absolutely delighted with the decision of UK Sport today. They have acknowledged that we successfully presented compelling new performance data, which not only impressed the Board but made them recognise that we are potential podium contenders for 2020. They could see from our evidence and that supplied by Patrick Baumann from our International Federation (FIBA) that our sport has an upward trajectory in terms of both performance and participation.”The endorsement and support of FIBA also played a crucial part in our success by demonstrating through technical information, how much progress we have made over the last 7 years as well as our position globally. We will now enter into a dialogue with UK Sport about the actual details and level of funding as well the support services required.

“This is a momentous day for British Basketball and everyone who is connected with the sports, whether players, fans or officials.”

Reacting to the decision, Mr Baumann, Secretary General of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) said: “I am thrilled for British Basketball and UK Sport’s recognition and appreciation of the very strong case we presented. The new funding will allow the sport to build on the progress and growth it has already made in a very short time and aim for a podium place in 2020.”