I have great pleasure, contentment and eagerness in welcoming all the participants and officials to the 2nd FIBA Asia Championship for Women.

The weather in Jinan at this time of the year will be quite cold, but the action on the court will be hot and will compensate for the weather outside.

Two teams from the 2nd FIBA Asia Championship for Women will qualify to represent FIBA Asia in the 2012 FIBA U17 World Championship for Women to be played in the Netherlands. I am sure the others in fray will make this two qualifying slots as hard earned as it can be for the two teams that eventually make it.

Coming as it does as the final event in FIBA Asia calendar of events for 2011, I am sure Jinan 2011 will provide a fitting finale to what has been an exciting year of events in FIBA Asia.

I also expect the technical quality of the event to reach new heights as we have seen a consistent and gradual improvement in our officials as the year progressed. On this front too, I anticipate an impeccable performance from the FIBA Asia technical officials.

On behalf of FIBA Asia, I take this opportunity to assure Jinan LOC all the support – technical or otherwise – to ensure the successful and smooth conduct of the 2nd FIBA Asia U16 Championship for Women.