The session of Saturday 23rd May will be entirely devoted to the assignment of the 2014 FIBA World Championship.

Please find below the major decisions taken today by the FIBA Central Board

1. Green light to Turkey as hosts of the 2010 FIBA World Championship

The Central Board received detailed reports on the staging of the 2010 FIBA World Championship from the Turkish Basketball Federation, including a strong commitment from the new Minister of Sport, Mr. Faruk Ozak.

Mr. Ozak, who travelled to Geneva in company of his predecessor, Mr. Murat Basesgioglu, personally expressed the full support of the Turkish Government and in particular of the country's Prime Minister, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The FIBA Central Board was happy to assess that over the last months there have been very considerable improvements in Ankara Ankara Arena -Preliminary Round- and Istanbul Olympic Dome -Final Phase-. The preliminary round arenas of Istanbul Abdi Ipekci and Izmir Halkapinar Arena only need reconstruction works and are not a concern to FIBA.

However, there are still serious concerns as with regards to the feasibility of maintaining Antalya as one of the preliminary round cities since the construction works at the Antalya Arena are at this point and time still to be fully initiated. Therefore, the FIBA Central Board decided that should there not be a fully approved and signed contract as with regards to the construction works of the Antalya Arena by 15th July 2009, the remaining preliminary round will be moved to the already existing venue of the city of Kayseri Kadir Has Arena.

Construction progresses in all arenas will continue to be closely monitored by FIBA.

As a consequence, the FIBA Central Board decided to confirm Turkey and the Turkish Basketball Federation as hosts of the 2010 FIBA World Championship from 28th August to 12th September.

2. FIBA 2010 U17 World Championship for Men to take place in Germany

The Central Board has decided to award the FIBA 2017 U17 World Championship for Men to the German Basketball Federation DBB. The event will take place in the city of Hamburg, in July 2010.

3. FIBA 2010 U17 World Championship for Women to take place in France

The Central Board has awarded the organisation of the FIBA 2017 U17 World Championship for Women to the French Basketball Federation FFBB. The event will take place in the cities of Toulouse and Rodez, in July 2010.

4. Next FIBA Central Board meeting

The next meeting of the FIBA Central Board will be held in Istanbul, Turkey, from 12th to 13th December 2009.