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54th CISM Military World Basketball Championship officially opens in Bourges

 

 

BOURGES (FRA) – The 54th CISM Military World Basketball Championship officially got underway on Sunday evening with a vibrant Opening Ceremony at the Palais des Sports du Prado in Bourges, France, marking the beginning of nine days of world-class military basketball competition from 27 June to 5 July.

 

The ceremony brought together athletes and officials representing the 13 participating nations in a colourful parade celebrating military friendship, international cooperation and sporting excellence. Throughout the week, 228 military athletes will compete across the men's and women's tournaments, featuring 12 men's teams and seven women's teams, while proudly embodying CISM's motto, "Friendship through Sport."

 

 

The Opening Ceremony was attended by Official CISM Representative and CISM President Colonel Nilton Gomes Rolim Filho, who joined French military and local authorities in welcoming the delegations to Bourges. Also present were French Commissioner for Military Sports General Cyrille Becker and Deputy Mayor for Sport of the City of Bourges, Mr Guillaume Crépin, underlining the strong commitment of both the French Armed Forces and the City of Bourges to hosting this prestigious international event.

 

In his address, Colonel Nilton Gomes Rolim Filho highlighted the unique role of military sport in bringing together servicemen and servicewomen from around the world through mutual respect, teamwork and friendship, encouraging all participants to compete with determination, integrity and fair play.

 

 

Hosted by the French Armed Forces through the Military Sports Academy (AMSD) and Air Base 702 Avord, the championship returns to France for the first time since Angers hosted the event in 2015. Bourges, renowned for its rich basketball tradition, now becomes the world capital of military basketball as elite military athletes compete for the coveted CISM world titles.

 

The group stage begins today and continues until 1 July before the tournament enters the knockout rounds, with the quarter-finals on 2 July, semi-finals on 3 July and the medal games on 4 July. Matches are being played at both the Palais des Sports du Prado and the CREPS Centre-Val de Loire, while the finals will take place at the iconic Prado Arena, home of Tango Bourges Basket, one of the most successful clubs in French women's basketball. Admission to the championship is free, reflecting the organizers' ambition to share military sport with the widest possible audience.

 

 

As the competition begins, CISM wishes every participating nation the very best and looks forward to a week of outstanding performances, memorable encounters and lasting friendships that once again demonstrate the power of Friendship through Sport.

 

 

(Source: CISM Media & Communication Department - Pictures: Académie militaire des sports de la Défense (AMSD))

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