Leaders' statement

Message from the President of the DIBF

On behalf of the International governing body for deaf basketball, I would like to convey my greetings and best wishes to participants, organisers, and Deaf Basketball UK for the 1st DIBF EuroCup Basketball Club Tournament to be held from 6 to 8 November 2009, in London.

The official international deaf basketball competition has been around since the late 1940’s. The DIBF was formed in 1998 with the purpose of raising standards and to focus on the core talents of deaf basketball players. This was achieved by providing international clinics and development camps for the deaf, and by conducting championships, and managing international deaf referees. Basketball is now, arguably, the fastest growing sport in the world.

I am delighted to advise you that there are more and more basketball events being played at different levels in the various regions around the globe; and now the new DIBF EuroCup. I look forward to prolonged sustainable growth for deaf basketball worldwide.

I extend my very best wishes to the organisers, officials and volunteers for the success of the 1st DIBF EuroCup Deaf Basketball Club Tournament in London. Good Luck to all the basketball teams, and may the best teams win!

Lyndon Borrow
President
Deaf International Basketball Federation
www.dibf.org

Message from the President of the ICSD

It is with a great honour that I have been asked by DIBF to send this message to all athletes, coaches and officials, organisers for the 1st DIBF EuroCup Deaf Basketball Club Tournament in London.

I echo the sentiments from DIBF President, Lyndon Borrow that the standards of Deaf basketball players have certainly increased two-fold and that is obviously down to a considerable interest of Deaf Basketball in the last ten years which is phenomenal!

Long live may it continue!

Please accept my warmest wishes and good luck to all teams competing in this fantastic Tournament in London. Enjoy!

Very best wishes,

Craig A Crowley MBE
President
International Committee of Sport for the Deaf (ICSD)
www.deaflympics.com

Message from the President of EDSO

On this auspicious occasion, the 1st DIBF EuroCup Basketball Club Tournament, I am pleased to see the vitality of the DIBF being expressed through this historic first tournament.

The coming together of the various basketball organizations from Europe and the UK in the period prior to your tournament through regional, national, and international competitions is now to be consummated in London on November 6-8.

Sport is a wonderful medium for you all to express your physical and social expectations, and to join together in a great spirit of friendship. Your friendships will often endure over a long period of time.

I pay tribute to the dedication of the DIBF.

I wish you all great days of celebrations, and wish a long and fulfilling life to basketball players, and the great game of basketball.

Isabelle Malaurie
President
European Deaf Sport Organization (EDSO)
www.edso.eu

Message from UK Deaf Sport Coordinator

On behalf of UK Deaf Sport we are very delighted for Deaf Basketball UK to host the DIBF EuroCup Deaf Basketball Club Tournament on our British soil.

We must applaud Deaf Basketball UK for managing to overcome the financial difficulties to get this far. We have faced with little or no support from the British Government to fund Deaf Sport in the United Kingdom so that is why our total appreciation goes to the organising committee for making this event possible!

It is a rare occasion for Britain to host an international sporting event in recent years and, with our traditional and rich culture, UK Deaf Sport is confident that every participant will definitely treasure their time in London at this time.

We send our good luck message to each team and the organising committee to make the event as successful as possible!

Yours in Sport,

Gordon Hay
Co-ordinator
UK Deaf Sport (UKDS)
www.ukdeafsport.org.uk