Dear basketball players and fans,

It is my great honour to greet you once again after a year's pause and welcome you back to Prague for the international Easter EuroBasket tournament, the largest event of its kind held for girls and boys in our country. Basketball is an undoubtedly popular sport in the Czech Republic, and this tournament is also sure to garner much attention.

I am therefore glad that the capital has been given the opportunity to support this tournament. Though Prague is primarily famed for its history and cultural heritage, sport has a strong presence here too. And much as we promote diversity in other areas, so too are we in favour of broad support for all kinds of sports. Just look at the calendar – while the last days of March will belong to Easter EuroBasket, in May Prague will be hosting the Ice Hockey World Championship along with Ostrava, and I could go on…

Thus I wish all the participants in this year's basketball tournament good aim and the best possible sporting experience. To the spectators I wish an exciting spectacle. As mayor, I hope that you will all like it in Prague.

Doc. MUDr. Bohuslav Svoboda, CSc.
Mayor of Prague