GREECE – On behalf of the Deaf International Basketball Federation (DIBF) Central Board, President, Mr Ioannis Stoufis and the Secretary General/Site Inspector, Mr Jürgen Endress are pleased to have compiled this report for the site inspection of the 2023 World Deaf Basketball Championships (2023 WDBC) in Heraklion, Greece from 21 to 24 October 2020.

The Hellenic Sports Federation of the Deaf (HSFD) applied for the 2023 World Deaf Basketball Championships for Men and Women with great interest and motivation, the other candidacy is Ankara, Turkey that will be inspected next month in November.

The President of the HSFD, Mr Iosif Stavrakakis with the Secretary General, Mr Panagiotis Kordonouris and the Press & Communication Officer, Ms Esta Razou welcomed us at the Heraklion Airport and gave us an official tour to inspect several basketball and training venues, hotel accommodation, meeting room facilities and introduced us to many important people for inspection dialogues.

The Sports Deputy Minister of Greece, Mr Lefteris Avgenakis pronounced to the international and Greek delegations: “I fully support this candidacy, as well as all the relevant Greek ones, to organise major sporting events in our country. The development of sport and extroversion are key elements of the government’s philosophy. Crete is ready to host big events, the local communities and institutions support it and I am sure that this 2023 World Deaf Basketball Championships will be awarded to Heraklion and crowned with absolute organisational and competitive success.”

The Sports Advisor of Region Crete, Mr Nikolaos Sirigonakis welcomed the delegation warmly and said: “Just as the Crete region was close to the HSDF during the organisation of the 9th European Deaf Football Championship for Men in 2019, so now to the 6th 2023 World Deaf Basketball Championships for Men and Women. We will be happy to work together for a successful international event.”

The Mayor of Heraklion Mr Vassilis Lambrinos welcomed the DIBF delegation to Heraklion and empathised them that holding international sporting events remains a key objective of the community’s sporting policy: “Although the pandemic has an impact on this area, we continue to claim important events because we believe the benefits to the local community are multiple.”

We also had meetings with other important people from different governments and federations like the Municipality of Heraklion Deputy Mayor of Sports, Mr Kostas Vardavas, the Secretary General of Hellenic Basketball Federation, Mr Panagiotis Tsagronis, the President of the Local Basketball Union Crete, Mr Markakis Babis, the President of Referees at Crete, Mr Michael Macherianakis and the President of Deaf Sports Club Minoas, Ms Aspasia Xaxiri at their offices.

From all sides there was great support, encouragement and approval for the organisation of the 2023 World Deaf Basketball Championships, from financial supports, transportation, officials, referees to the high-level sports facilities.

The HSFD informed and explained to us how to create the Organising Committee and their structure that is still not official. The experiences there are highly valued that have successfully organised many international tournaments, see for example the European Deaf Football Championships, the numerous FIBA Youth Championships in recent years.

We are confident that with all your support, Greece will be successful for this World Deaf Basketball Championships.

We will be making a trip to Turkey, the other candidate, this month in November. After both inspections in Heraklion, Greece und Ankara, Turkey the Central Board of Deaf International Basketball Federation will officially announce the host city.

Jürgen Endress
Secretary General and Site Inspector

Press Release:
• Hellenic Sports Federation of the Deaf – Website:
https://hafdeaf.gr/δελτιο-τυπου-23-10-20-η-εοακ-διεκδικεί-το-παγ/

• Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports – Website:
https://gga.gov.gr/grafeio-tupou/deltia-tupou/3153-2023

• Deputy Ministry for Sports, Mr Avgenakis – Twitter:
https://twitter.com/l_avgenakis/status/1319618981066608641

• Municipality of Heraklion – Website:
https://www.heraklion.gr/municipality/municipality-press-releases/lambrinos-mayor-omospondia-tyflon-231020.html?fbclid=IwAR3AVZn4Rsg6J612TIEJzgc_49p3Tv0n_WQjIV10nBh_zfDOsTP3E4fVZtU