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City rolls onto world stage

By Melissa Meehan
LOOK out world, Dandenong is stepping out onto the global sports stage – it will host the Asia Oceania qualifying wheelchair basketball championships in October.
The event, a lead-up to next year’s International Wheelchair Basketball Federation world cup in England, will feature Japan, China, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia and Australia, ranked number one in the world.
Dandenong Basketball Association general manager Graeme Allen said the event was right up there with the Paralympics.
“Of all wheelchair sports around the world, like rugby and tennis, basketball has by far the highest profile,” he said.
“The tournament will bring in excess of 1000 visitors from around the world to the city, plus the teams and support staff.
“It’s a worldwide event in our own backyard and will place the city and the DBA on the world sporting stage.”
Sports Minister James Merlino made the announcement during a tour of the Stud Road facilities last Thursday.
“This is the perfect opportunity for all Victorians to see our world number one ranked team, the Rollers, mix it with the best of the best from Asia and Oceania on home turf,” Mr Merlino said. “In a coup for the sport, the tournament will also have wide media coverage with game highlights across Australia on ABC television.”
Only three of the six countries at Dandenong will qualify for the 2010 IWBF world championships in Birmingham, England.

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