Mykola Tomenko, Deputy Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, believes that the idea of holding the European Basketball Championship in Ukraine is more viable than that of the Winter Olympics 2022. He made this statement, commenting on the today´s declaration of President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych concerning holding of the World Basketball Cup in Ukraine.
"I hold the opinion that Ukraine should support the traditional kinds of sports taken up by hundred thousands or even millions of people," M.Tomenko stated. He admits that the President might have meant the European Championship, not the World Cup, which is a viable idea, as basketball is a popular sport in Ukraine. He also informed that the Basketball Federation of Ukraine entertained the idea of competing for the right to host the European Basketball Championship 2015 in Ukraine.
At the same time, M.Tomenko supposes that the intention of hosting the Winter Olympics in Ukraine is not only fantastic, but also inappropriate, as most winter sports are not practiced in Ukraine.
Therefore, M.Tomenko recommends that the funds intended for the Winter Olympics should be used to reequip physical culture and sports facilities in Ukrainian schools, higher education establishments and residential areas.