By Paul Osborne

British Basketball has notified UK Sport of its intention to appeal the Board's decision to withdraw their funding ©Getty ImagesFebruary 13 - British Basketball has given notice of its intention to make representations to the UK Sport Board on its decision to withdraw the sport's funding during its latest Annual Investment Review.


The UK's governing body for basketball was left disappointed earlier this month after the decision by UK Sport to withdraw the £7 million ($11.5 million/€8.5 million) of Olympic funding awarded to the body last year.

Roger Moreland, performance chairman of British Basketball, has been critical of UK Sport's decision following the announcement on February 4.

In his latest statement on the governing body's website, Moreland highlighted the "unprecedented achievement" of the sport over the last decade while discussing British Basketball's intention to make formal representations to UK Sport.

British Basketball lost its £7 million UK Sport funding after both the men's and women's teams failed to qualify for the 2014 World Championships ©Getty ImagesBritish Basketball lost its £7 million UK Sport funding after both the men's and women's teams failed to qualify for the 2014 World Championships ©Getty Images


"I'm not sure it's really appreciated what the men's and women's teams have achieved in such a short space of time," he said.

"The last seven years have been a tale of unprecedented achievement; a journey from nowhere to the peaks of the sport.

"UK Sport's funding and support has made this possible.

"Basketball is the legacy sport for young people from 2012.

"It is GB's largest Olympic team sport in terms of participation so there has to be understanding about what this decision means.

"The irony is that we are still on the road to Rio [2016] and success in this summer's EuroBasket qualification round will keep us on track to achieve another unprecedented milestone.

"Having been assessed by UK Sport as having potential to medal at Tokyo 2020 last year it is difficult to understand exactly what has changed in that time.

"I am also concerned that team and emerging sports are being left high and dry and so it is important that all opportunities to make our case are taken and that is what we will do once again."

Should the representation fail, no decision on a formal appeal has yet been made by British Basketball.

Basketball was one of seven sports to lose its Olympic funding from UK Sport with water polo, synchronised swimming, weightlifting, wheelchair fencing, five-a-side football and goalball also having their funds withdrawn.

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