By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
After the resignation of former president Jorge Garbajosa, who was then named president of FIBA Europe, Elisa Aguilar was almost unanimously named president of the Basketball Federation in Spain with 97.5% of votes (77 in favor and 2 blanks). She will hold this position until 2024 when new elections will come.
Born in October 1976, Elisa Aguilar ended his professional career as one of the most iconic female basketball players ever in Europe, playing 222 games with the Spanish national team and winning one gold medal, one silver medal, and four bronzes between FIBA Women’s World Cups and FIBA Women’s EuroBaskets.
Elisa Aguilar shared his excitement after the news. “I say thank you to the Assembly for its trust in me, and all of you who are present today at this extraordinary call and have voted for the project that I lead. Also to those who have not been able to be there, but have told me that they will work with us in this new stage”, she commented after being voted as the first-ever female president of the Spanish Basketball Federation.
“I experience feelings of honor, responsibility, commitment, gratitude, and pride. Pride because, once again, the FEB has given a lesson in modernity and courage, and has placed itself at the head of the sports entities of this country, electing a woman for its Presidency. A historical milestone that recognizes the role of women in our sport and that marks the step of Spanish society, which grants me a responsibility for which I am willing and aware, and to you, the General Assembly, a role in the history of equality in our country”, she then said.
“This is an important day; I never remember an Assembly like this one, in a magical moment of Spanish basketball, in a model Federation such as the Basketball Federation, and a wonderful replacement in which a very prepared person arrives, a former player who has paved the way, who is committed to the sport, which has the support of groups, including the Spanish Olympic Committee, and all of us who love sport”, the Spanish Olympic Committee president Alejandro Blanco commented.
The first thing Elisa Aguilar did as head of the Spanish Basketball Federation was to celebrate her predecessor Jorge Garbajosa with the Gold Badge of the FEB, the highest tribute of the federative entity. She has thanked the former NBA player “for seven years of brilliant management that has returned Spain to the top of world basketball”. She had nothing but great words for FIBA Europe’s president. “Thank you for the love of all this time, for the trust and support. I know we count on you in the distance. You also count on this Federation. And remember that this will always be your home”, the newest Spanish Basketball Federation president commented.
🚨 OFICIAL | Elisa Aguilar (@eaguilar10), nueva Presidenta de la #FEB.#SomosEquipo
— Baloncesto España (@BaloncestoESP) October 2, 2023
PHOTO CREDIT: Baloncesto España