British basketball gets funding boost

LONDON — British basketball is to receive nearly $2 million of government and lottery funding for its men's and women's teams through 2017.

UK Sport, the body that distributes government cash to sports, says on Friday it has also agreed to provide British basketball with "expert, technical advice on talent identification" to help the development of athletes and coaches.

The funding of 1.18 million pounds ($1.87 million) will contribute to travel, tournament and coaching costs, on the condition that Britain's women's team target a top-12 place at the 2015 European Championship and the men's team qualify for the 2017 European Championship.

British basketball was told in February it would be receiving no funding in the run-up to the Rio de Janiero Olympics in 2016 as government funding is targeted at sports with a chance of winning medals. UK Sport said last week it was reviewing that medal-focused policy.