XX International Vladimir Ryzhenkov Memorial Basketball Tournament began in Minsk

Today on December 2, the annual international basketball tournament to the memory of first Minister of Sports and Tourism and President of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Ryzhenkov started in Minsk with the opening ceremony and two matches.

The U-16 teams of Belarus, Lithuania, Poland, and Ireland will play for trophies on December 2-4 in the sports complex of Belarus’ basketball club “Minsk 2006”.

First Vice President of the NOC Belarus, Assistant to the President of the Republic of Belarus on physical culture, sport and tourism, President of the Belarusian Basketbal Federation Maxim Ryzhenkov started the tournament with a welcome speech. There were also First Deputy Minister of Sports and Tourism Alexander Gagiev and Minsk City Executive Committee Directorate of Sports and Tourism Sergei Furmanov.

Ryzhenkov stressed the importance of the tournament as a preparatory edition for the European Championship U-16 in 2017.What is more, such tournaments facilitate cross-cultural integration and image promotion of Belarus’ capital, culture and people.

Both Belarusian teams defeated the teams of Ireland and secured third places in the tournament protocol.

The women’s team outplayed their Irish mates with the score 85:59. Yana Golyakova was admitted as the most effective player of the game (32 points, 5 handoffs, 15 rebounds, effectiveness coefficient +32).

The men’s team crashed the opponents with the score 74:55. Daniil Borisevich was acknowledged as the best in the game statistics (16 points. 6 handoffs, 5 rebounds, effectiveness coefficient +13).

On December 3, Belarus’ teams will face the teams of Lithuania, then – Poland.

Best players of the tournament will be awarded special trophies prepared by the NOC Belarus.

The event was arranged by the NOC Belarus, Ministry of Sports and Tourism, Belarusian Basketball Federation, Minsk City Executive Committee and public institution “Belsportobespechenie”.