Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has congratulated the participants and organizers of the U16 European Championship Men 2013 on the opening of the championship.

"I sincerely congratulate you on the opening of the U16 European Championship Men 2013. For ten days millions of fans from various countries will be watching the matches of an exciting European tournament. Ukraine is dong the utmost for the development and promotion of this spectacular game and preparing for hosting the EuroBasket 2015 European Basketball Championship," reads the text of the president's congratulation posted on his web site on Thursday.

Yanukovych expressed hope that the U16 European Championship Men 2013 will be hosted in a highly professional manner and the fans will enjoy an uncompromised and fair competition for victory.

Kyiv-based Sports Palace will host the U16 European Championship Men 2013 on August 8-18, 2013. Sixteen European teams will partake in it. Seventy-two matches will be held during this period.