A total of 118 National Federations including Bermuda recently attended the 20th World Congress and underlined the need to ensure all of World Basketball's stakeholders are on the same page to face the future united.
Current President of the Bermuda Basketball Association Greg Todd represented Bermuda at the Congress. Before the attention turned to the main priorities for the 2014-2019 cycle, outgoing FIBA President Yvan Mainini reflected on all the work carried out by FIBA under his leadership during the past term of office (2010-2014). In particular he highlighted the fact that excellent progress has been made with regards to the four strategic pillars FIBA has embarked on in 2010: the completion of the House of Basketball became a reality in the spring of 2013, the implementation of a new calendar and system of competition comes into effect in 2017, 3x3 has grown across the globe since the inaugural 2010 Youth Olympic Games with its very own, dedicated competition network; and substantial changes were brought to FIBA's Governance at the Extraordinary World Congress in Istanbul back in March 2014. Mainini emphasized the decision taken in Turkey, "A few months ago, the Extraordinary World Congress in Istanbul resulted in a landmark change in the culture of our association, comparable in terms of impact with that of the famous agreement between Borislav Stankovic and David Stern that opened the path for professional NBA players to compete at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. FIBA will continue with its structural consolidation, but our principle assets will always be a solid base and growing popularity. Our main strength consists in having 214 National Basketball Federations spread throughout the world." The National Member Federations fully used of the new and extended powers granted to them following the Extraordinary World Congress to elect members of the Central Board for the 2014-2019 term of office. Horacio Muratore (Argentina) was elected by acclamation to succeed Mainini as new FIBA President, with Ingo Weiss (Germany) taking over the role of Treasurer. Along with FIBA Secretary General and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member Patrick Baumann, they were joined by 12 other elected members. Elections were held for the first time via an electronic system. The World Congress also adopted further changes to the FIBA General Statutes in order to strengthen the organization in view of future challenges and strategic growth opportunities. Baumann cast his eyes toward the future, with two major goals in mind. The first is to have one, united FIBA and to grow the game beyond the traditional basketball countries. He said: "Within the spirit of building a united world basketball family, a particular attention will be given over the next years to domestic and international leagues ensuring that they operate under the umbrella of FIBA and that of its member federations and fully participate in FIBA’ decision making processes. The inclusion, for the first time, of the NBA in the FIBA Central Board is a strong signal for these new times and for FIBA’s move towards an inclusive and participative management model as approved at the Extraordinary Congress in March 2014. We share the same growth ambitions for the sport and for the Basketball World Cup. Similarly, other leagues and clubs should participate in our regional bodies alongside our member national federations. They deserve particular care, so that we can help them to fulfill their responsibilities and objectives within the larger picture of growing the game worldwide. Only together, the sport can grow."
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