Sri Lanka will take on Kazakhstan in opening match

Basketball: Sri Lanka will take on Kazakhstan in the opening match of the FIBA Asia Basketball Qualifying Championships 2007 on May 28 a 5.30 p.m. at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium.

Besides Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan, there is also India in the three-cornered battle. On May 29, Kazakhstan will take on India at the same venue at 5.30 p.m. and on May 30, India will play against Sri Lanka also at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium at 5.30 p.m.

The final will be on May 31 at 5.30 p.m. at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. Top 1 will meet Top 2 in the final.

Sri Lanka: Jagath Kulatunge, Vajira Kumarasinghe, Shanaka Perera, Harshadeva Yasaratne, Prageeth Pushpakumara, Viranta Bastian, Randima Sooriyarachchi, Chamath Danawansa, Gamunu Sandaruwan, Asanka Suwaris, Roshel Mendis, Anushka Nilakshan. Standbyes: Disshan Wille, Isuru Perera, Chatura Rodrigo, Malinda Fernando.

Head Coach: Ajith Kuruppu

Kazakhstan: Beryulin Yegor, Shpeht Andrey, Yargaliyev Rustam, Ponomarev Anton, Tyutunik Alexandr, Nechayev Ivan, Voyeikov Maxim, Yevstigneyev Mikhail, Skornykov Artyom, Korovnikov Drnitriy, Gavrilov Drnitriy, Issakov Yevgeniy.

Head Coach: Strebkov Vitality, Coach: Yeropkin Alexey

Doctor: Bobryka Stanislav

Chief Delegation: Shmakov Sergey

India team not received.

This year, the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation decided to host the championship and the bid was considered and the SLBA got the approval by the FIBA Middle Asia - the regional governing body.

FIBA Middle Asia Zone comprises of 12 countries and annually conducts championship tournaments within them to get qualify to participate in the FIBA ASIA championship.

This event was scheduled to take place in 23rd - 28th June. But the SLBF were asked to advance the championship by the regional governing body, FIBA MIDDLE ASIA. All 12 Countries were invited accordingly, only India and Kazakhstan have confirmed their participation. Both teams will be arriving on 26th May 13.35 through Jet Airways.

Teams will be accommodated in Hotel Janaki, our hospitality partner for the tour. Sri Lanka has not hosted an international basketball tournament since 1991. Therefore SLBF considered this as an important milestone to end the 15 years drought.

Out of the three teams only two top teams will be qualified to participate in the FIBA ASIA Championship which will be held in Japan. The SLBF considered this as an important event for all basketball loving community all over the island.

All the matches will be played as scheduled at Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, Colombo Sri Lanka commencing from 28th May.

The final will be held on 31st May at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium.