The global producer and distributor of fine beverages, Amber Beverage Group (ABG), has announced it will continue the sponsorship of the Ukrainian men’s national basketball team throughout 2023. The team will soon take part in the final qualifying matches of the FIBA World Cup 2023 with a view to entering the finals of the tournament
Amber Beverage Group has donated more than EUR 550 thousand to support the people of Ukraine and this sports sponsorship forms just part of that ongoing package.
Ainārs Bagatskis, head coach of the Ukrainian men’s national basketball team, said: “The past year has been very difficult for the Ukrainian national team, as it has been for all Ukrainians. In a year of hostilities, the Ukrainian national team lost its home hall and could no longer return to Kyiv. At this difficult and important time, Amber Beverage Group offered us its shoulder and without the support of our partner we would not have been able to perform well at the European Championship where we took a high 11th place. The support has also helped us in qualifying for the World Championship, where we have a chance to break into the main draw of the competition.”
Commenting on the sponsorship, Jekaterina Stuģe, CEO of ABG, said: “Together with the wider ABG family, we have followed numerous games, cheering for Ukrainian players whilst they use Latvia as their temporary ‘home’ ground. As a company, we are proud to be continuing our support not only for this team but for the people of Ukraine more widely.
“At a time of war, sport can seem to some insignificant. However, it is not. The morale boost which we are able to give to this team and, through them, to the brave people of Ukraine, is an important touchstone in remembering normality and freedom. We were excited to greet the team in Riga where they played their ‘home’ games and we are pleased to be able to continue to support them. Our sponsorship is on the same scale as last year and will help avoid professional athletes losing momentum due to the war. We continue to hope that Ukraine will prevail – and not only on the basketball court.”
Ainārs Bagatskis added: “Riga has become a second home for the Ukrainian men’s basketball team, and the support of ABG has been vital for the national team. We aim to enter the World Basketball Championship for what would be only the second time in history – but first we need to defeat the teams from Italy and the Netherlands.”
The national men’s basketball team of Ukraine, with ABG as its most prominent sponsor, is currently taking part in the European Championship and, under the leadership of Ainārs Bagatskis, is a strong contender in the FIBA World Cup 2023.
