Toronto to host 2017 Men’s U23 World Championships

The next wave of talented wheelchair basketball stars will align in Toronto as Canada plays host to the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) Men’s U23 World Championship in 2017.

Wheelchair Basketball Canada will host the world-class event from 8-16 June 2017 at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in downtown Toronto. Twelve competing nations, including the host team from Canada, will showcase the future of the sport as they battle for the world title for junior men.

The latest addition to a rich Canadian hosting tradition, the event returns to Toronto in time to mark the 20-year anniversary since Canada hosted and won the inaugural World Championship for junior men in 1997.

“We are proud to host this prestigious event and once again welcome the wheelchair basketball world to the great city of Toronto,” said Wheelchair Basketball Canada Executive Director Wendy Gittens. “As a world leader in our sport we’re thrilled to contribute to the development of the game and create a lasting legacy in the community by hosting a truly memorable event that is sure to captivate fans in Toronto and around the world.”

“The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation looks with great pleasure towards a new edition of the Men´s U23 World Championship 2017, hosted again in Toronto, Canada,” said IWBF President Ulf Mehrens. “This was the same city where the first tournament for our young top athletes took place 20 years ago, giving Canada a place in the history of IWBF.

“As one of the leading countries in wheelchair basketball, Canada is a reliable partner and supporter of the main competitions of IWBF. In the past, Wheelchair Basketball Canada has always provided great organisational expertise and a warm and friendly atmosphere for the athletes, teams, officials and fans. The frequent efforts of Wheelchair Basketball Canada as host for our sport events, especially for our younger top players, reflect the wonderful spirit and objectives of a sustainable promotion of our sport.”

The 2017 Men’s U23 World Championship is the sixth edition of the tournament, which takes place every four years. The game schedule, ticketing and volunteer information will all be finalised at a later date.

Team Canada won back-to-back world championship titles at the event in 1997 and 2001. Most recently, Canada placed sixth at the last World Championship for junior men in 2013.