Press releases

MINSK, 11 July (BelTA) – The baby stork that has been chosen the official mascot for the 2018 FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup will be named Buslik. This name has received the majority of votes. Tamara Lipskaya from Minsk was the first to suggest the name. She will receive the mascot toy from Team Belarus, BelTA learned from the Belarusian Basketball Federation.

Basketball fans from all over the country sent letters to the basketball federation showing their creative flair. The jury had a hard job choosing from the diversity of options. The name Buslіk won the most votes. It has a national flavor and is very easily pronounced in different languages, which is also important. The mascot will go on sale on 21 July. It will be available in a special outlet at the Sports Palace.

The 2018 FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup will take place in Minsk on 21-29 July. Taking part in the tournament will be 16 countries. The matches will be hosted at the Minsk Palace of Sports and Falcon Club. Team Belarus will play in Group A against Colombia (21 July), Japan (22 July) and France (24 July).

The other preliminary groups:

B - China, Italy, the United States, Mali

C - Argentina, New Zealand, Spain, Hungary

D - Angola, Latvia, Australia, Canada.