Luanda — The national senior male basketball team was awarded Monday night here USD 244,000 for their performance at the World Basketball Championship 2006, which took place from August 19 to 03 September, in Japan.

From the total amount USD 144,000 was handed-over by Angola Basketball Federation (FAB) and USD 100, 000 by the official sponsor, mobile phone company Movicel, at the event represented by its acting executive director, Feliciano António.

The ceremony happened in Luanda's Liberty Park and counted on the presence of the Angolan Army chief of staff, Agostinho Nelumba Sanjar, Youth and Sports deputy ministers, Albino da Conceição and Gonçalves Muandumba.

From the twelve players that participated in 2006 FIBA World Championship in Japan, only eleven were at the dinner, namely Carlos Almeida, Miguel Lutonda, Abdel Bouckar, Olímpio Cipriano, Milton Barros, Joaquim Gomes " Kikas", Victor de Carvalho, Eduardo Mingas and Carlos Morais.

The technical team was represented by Artur Barros, assistant coach, Agostinho Matamba, physician and António de Sousa physiotherapist.

Angola basketball team occupied the 9th position and reached eighth finals, after being put aside by France.