TEHRAN- Iran basketball team traveled to China Friday night to take part in the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship for Men which will be held in Wuhan from September 15 to 25. 

The competition will serve as the qualifying tournament for the 2012 Olympic Games in London

“We are going to defend our title in the competitions, but it’s not our priority. Reserving a seat in the 2012 Olympics is our main concern. The champion of the competition will go straight to the Olympic Games and the second and third teams will partake in the qualifications,” Iran basketball coach Veselin Matic said.

Iran has been drawn in Group B along with Qatar, Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan. The defending champion is scheduled to face Chinese Taipei on September 15 in its opener. 

Iran has won the titles in the two previous editions. 

The 16 teams will be divided into four groups of four in the event.