KEY POINTS:
New Zealand will contest a four-nation women's basketball tournament in Beijing in June as part of their buildup towards the 2008 Olympics there.
Basketball New Zealand (BBNZ) has confirmed entry into the event from June 13-19, which will also feature national teams from China, Cuba and Argentina.
All three teams attended last year's world championships in Brazil.
The tournament will be round robin format leading into semifinals and a playoff for placings.
Each team will play five games, which was pleasing for coach Mike McHugh.
"This is an opportunity to go to Beijing, to get some acclimatisation and familiarisation, and to play three quality international teams," McHugh said.
"We have to be very targeted in our campaign. We don't have time to be a development programme, so we have to focus on teams we can beat at the Olympic tournament -- mainly the Asians and the Africans.
"The Cubans reflect that African style, the Chinese are obviously indicative of the Asian style, while Argentina are probably a mixture of Asian and American styles."
The Tall Ferns' participation will also help fulfil a crucial part of the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) selection criteria.
With Australia already assured of an Olympic berth as world champions, the New Zealand women should be good enough to claim the Oceania spot in the draw.
However, the NZOC has made it clear the team must demonstrate their competitiveness on the international stage before they will be selected for Beijing.
The Tall Ferns, currently ranked 17th in the world, surpassed most expectations three years ago in Athens when they beat China and Korea in pool play to progress to the quarterfinals.
"We virtually have to be ranked in the top 16 and demonstrate we can get through section play at the Olympics," McHugh said.
"We have to convince the NZOC we're capable of a good performance by playing other good teams and improving our ranking."
Cuba are currently ranked seventh in the world, China 10th and Argentina 12th.
Later this month, McHugh, BBNZ performance general manager Jane Thackray and medical director Lynne Coleman will join an NZOC delegation to tour Olympic venues in Beijing.
- NZPA
