Lithuanian PM backs idea to organize FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament

VILNIUS – Lithuanian Prime Minister Saulius Skvernelis is in favor of an idea to organize the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Lithuania.

The prime minister has sent a letter to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and expressed support to the idea to hold the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Kaunas, Lithuania's second-largest city, the government said on Wednesday.

"On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, I expressed strong support to the plans by the Lithuanian Basketball Federation to hold the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in June, 2020 in Lithuania," Skvernelis' letter reads.

It also states that the government, the Kaunas authorities and the Lithuanian Basketball Federation will pay due attention and provide necessary support to this qualifying tournament.

"The government hopes for a favorable evaluation of Lithuania's candidacy," the prime minister's letter reads.

Lithuania's men's national basketball team failed to secure a berth at the Tokyo Olympics during the world championship in China earlier this year. The team will be able to do so during the additional qualifying tournament in June.

The host of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament will be selected in late November.