Garbajosa: “We want it to be the Eurobasket Women's Exchange”

The president of the Spanish Basketball Federation wants the appointment in Valencia in 2021 to “recover all that time that goes behind the men's basketball”

The president of the Spanish Basketball Federation, Jorge GarbajosaHe said Tuesday that the Spanish Basketball Federation intends that the European female 2021 be “the Eurobasket of change” and “recover all that time that goes behind the men's women's basketball.”

During the presentation of the logo of the European Women's 2021, which will have as one of its headquarters in Valencia and be disputed between the days June 17 and 27 In Spain and France, Garbajosa talked about the purpose of the competition, which is “put women's basketball where it really deserves”.

“More than a year and a half ago we decided to embark on this path by the French Basketball Federation. The two federations that most bet on women's basketball in Europe had to do something really big and fruitful in this Eurobasket,” he said.

The mayor of Valencia, Joan Rib, stressed the importance of the celebration in the city, “which will be erected in one of the women's basketball capitals, an authentic reference that this year in June will host the preparation of the players of the Spanish team for Olympic Games“, said.

Josep Miquel Moya, general director of sports of the Generalitat, said that he is convinced that after a few years “we will remember the competition for organizational and sports success and, surely, with a new European championship of the Spanish team but also because it leaves its mark sports promotion. “

Also Elena Weaver, director of the Trinidad Alfonso Foundation, affirmed that the European “is going to be a benchmark to position Vaencia in the world of sports and basketball” and that sharing headquarters with Pars, a first level city, is very important for the city ​​and for the Foundation.

Pilar Bernab, councilor sports, explained that with the European “we will link the name of the city to the values ​​of sport and the values ​​of women's sport”, but that “not only will it be a showcase to the world but that the city is going to dump to teach children to grow in the values ​​of sport and equality. “

Kobe's death

The former basketball player spoke about the recent death of Kobe Bryant “It is an authentic drama globally” since it is a figure that transcended basketball and became a global icon for growing this sport around the world.

“He was an extreme competitor on the court, but outside he was an extremely kind, respectful and caring person, especially with Spain,” he said.

Garbajosa said that since the Spanish Basketball Federation have given “absolute freedom” for each club and institution to honor the player in the way you consider most appropriate. “In the end it is a iconic figure, and what we want is for people to show their love to Kobe in the way they consider best because in the end it was everyone's heritage, “he added.

In addition, I also remember Robert Archibald, that I played in several teams of the ACB and that passed away recently with only 39 years. “It has been a particularly bad weekend, apart from Kobe, which was already enough reason, also with the loss of Robert Archibald, with whom I had the honor of sharing costumes,” he concluded.