FIBA Asia holds second Board meeting in Doha

DOHA (Qatar) – FIBA Asia held its second Board meeting of the new cycle, 2019-2023, at the Ritz Carlton in Doha, Qatar on December 11 and 12.

The meeting covered important topics relevant to the region, including the development of youth and women’s basketball, the successfully hosted events and the key priorities heading into the new year.

The meeting was attended by FIBA Asia President Sheikh Saud Al Thani, FIBA President Hamane Niang, FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, and FIBA Executive Director Asia, Hagop Khajirian.

The FIBA strategic objectives for 2019-2027, and the three main priorities for the period up to 2023, Empowering National Federations, Women in Basketball and Enlarging the FIBA Family, were discussed at length during the two-day meeting. A detailed report of the 2019 activities was also presented by the Regional Office’s three departments: Sport and Competitions, National Federations and Sports and Communications.

Development of Youth and Women’s basketball

A detailed report of the Regional Office’s Ball’In Schools program intended to improving grassroots basketball in Asia was presented.

FIBA President, Hamane Niang said in regards to this: “If you want to develop basketball, you need to encourage children to play basketball. The youth are the future, and our legacy is the youth”.

The success of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2019 in Bengaluru was discussed, as well as the increased interest in women’s basketball in the continent.
A proposal was made to launch a club competition for women in the near future and the importance of such events for the development of women's basketball was spoken of in depth. The Board asked the Regional Office to prepare a plan which will be discussed in the next meeting.

FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers and other Competitions

The Board were also updated regarding the readiness and preparation for the first-ever Qualifiers for the FIBA Asia Cup. The Qualifiers are set to start in February 2020, taking place in three separate windows leading up to the Asia Cup in 2021.

The 2020 events including the FIBA U16 and U18 Men and Women Championships were discussed at length in addition to the continent’s flagship club competition, the FIBA Asia Champions Cup 2020.

The Board emphasized the importance of having closer relationships with the National Federations and Sub-Zones and commented on the smooth cooperation with the Regional Office over the past four years.

Finally, the Board reviewed various National Federation matters and approved the budget for the region for 2020.