VICTORIA, B.C., CANADA (April 21, 2021) - With under three months until the start of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Friends of Victoria Basketball, along with their partners at Canada Basketball, are on track to host one of Canada’s most important basketball tournaments ever.

“On behalf of Canada Basketball, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Friends of Victoria Basketball and the entire local organizing committee for their continued commitment and tireless efforts to host the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Victoria this summer,” said Glen Grunwald, President & CEO of Canada Basketball.  “Everyone has demonstrated a tremendous sense of flexibility and resolve as we continue to navigate the shifting pandemic conditions on a daily basis. They are a special group of people.”

“Additionally, we are committed to our strategy of hosting best in class domestic and international events to leverage the power of the game to unify our basketball nation,” Grunwald said.

With the Tokyo Olympic Games moving forward this summer, the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament is scheduled for June 29 - July 4, at the Victoria Memorial Arena in Victoria, B.C.

For basketball fans across the country, Friends of Victoria Basketball is excited to announce that the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament will be broadcast by the CBC across its various platforms, both on television and online, as well as streamed on DAZN. The partnerships with CBC and DAZN will give Canadian basketball fans access to Team Canada's quest for Gold at the Olympic Games from the first tip-off through the tournament and into Tokyo 2020.

"We continue to plan for a world-class qualifying tournament this June 29 - July 4,” said Clint Hamilton of Friends of Victoria Basketball. “All six nations are coming to Victoria with the goal of securing an Olympic berth so the stakes will be high and we expect to see some tight, hard-fought games. It's exciting that both the CBC and DAZN will be broadcasting the tournament so fans across the nation can support our Senior Men's National Team from afar."

In-person attendance for the games is still to be determined, in accordance with evolving local and provincial health orders. Friends of Victoria Basketball is currently planning for multiple scenarios, from a bubble with no spectators, to a percentage of spectator capacity. Updates will be sent directly to ticket holders as information becomes available.

Friends of Victoria Basketball is also honoured to announce, as published in the New York Times, that the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament will be held on the same floor on which the Raptors won their 2019 NBA Championship. Team Canada head coach Nick Nurse is looking to make history once again, on the same hardwood.

“Acquiring this iconic basketball floor, and the incredible Canadian basketball history that unfolded on it, is already an important legacy from our local efforts to secure the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament,” said Hamilton. “I have no doubt that future Canadian success stories will unfold on this floor for years to come.”

Canada is in Group A for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament and will face Greece and China in the Group Phase, while Uruguay, Czech Republic and Turkey have been drawn into Group B for the Victoria FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Click here for a full tournament schedule.

Each team will play the other two teams in its own group (two games for each team).  The top two teams in each group will advance to the semifinals.  The two semi-final winners will advance to the Final, with the winner qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

More details surrounding the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament will be made available in the coming weeks and all event updates will be published on wethewestfest.com.

Friends of Victoria Basketball gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Government of Canada, Province of British Columbia, City of Victoria, District of Saanich, and University of Victoria.