Confirms host of Afrobasket men and women events
…Madagascar’s Jean Michel appointed as Vice President of FIBA Africa
By Maxwell Kumoye
The governing body of the game of basketball on the continent, FIBA Africa has given the seven zones under it structure more responsibilities and power as it seeks to reposition the slamming and dunking game on the continent.
FIBA Africa Central Board at its meeting in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire between the 17th and 19th of this month said each of the Zones should take more interest in the various National Federations under their watch.
The meeting which was the first to be attended by the new FIBA Africa Executive Member and President of FIBA Africa Zone 3, Retired Colonel Samuel Ahmedu, charged the Zone Presidents to carry our an audit of all the National Federations facilities under their watch to see which of the can host top class FIBA competitions.
This move is born out of the fact that among the 54 membes of FIBA Africa, some big National Federations like Nigeria cannot boast of world class facilities for major competition.
In the last five years, all major FIBA Africa competitions have been held in just eight National Federations countries like:
✓ Angola
✓ Cameroon
✓ Cote D’Ivoire
✓ Egypt
✓ Mozambique
✓ Rwanda
✓ Senegal
✓ Tunisia
It’s instructive to note that all the host for FIBA Africa major competitions until 2027 have been designated.
FIBA Africa has also confirmed Abidjan the capital of Cote D’Ivoire will host the 2025 Afrobasket Women’s Championship while Luanda, Angola will host the men’s event the same year.
The Women Afrobasket takes place in July and D’Tigress of Nigeria are the defending champions and Afrobasket for men will follow in August.
Meanwhile, Mr. Julien Farran has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer of FIBA Africa. He is expected to take over from Mr. Yira Yacouba who is retiring.
In a related development, Mr. Jean Michel of Madagascar, a member of FIBA Central Board and President of FIBA Africa Development Commission has been appointed as Vice President of FIBA Africa.
We gathered that BAL Elite 16 East Division will take place in Nairobi, Kenya from 28th Nov to 3rd December, 2024.
If there is one issue that is giving FIBA Africa sleepless nights is the deadly, damaging and prevalent practice of using overaged players in aged grade competitions like the U-16 and U-18.
To this end, a TASK FORCE will be set up to curtail this ugle trend and the TASK FORCE will not only spell out the punishment for using overaged players in aged grade competitions but will also be presented with a sledge hammer to deal with offenders.
The President of FIBA Africa Zone 3 Retired Colonel Samuel Ahmedu said, “Training for Secretary Generals of National Federations was proposed and approved during the FIBA Africa Central Board Meeting and that National Federations should ensure more organization and participation in 3×3 activities.”
