By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
The Greek Basketball Federation released the transcript of Giorgos Vassilakopoulos speech at the 2019 FIBA Europe General Assembly held at Munich, Germany, on May 24th. The president of the Federation stressed the importance of FIBA holding its ground as ONE FIBA, but added that the current situation is probably worst than 2014.
“After our important and groundbreaking decisions in 2014, one would expect that the 2019 FIBA Europe General Assembly would be an opportunity to check on the progress and the implementation of those decisions and examine our next steps on the new structure, based on the concept of ONE FIBA” he initially pointed out.
“At least as far as Europe is concerned, I must point out that very little has changed and the situation is probably worse than 2014” he mentioned and added: “Indeed in Europe FIBA continues to suffer from its conflict with EuroLeague. Instead of FIBA having the control of basketball in Europe we see EuroLeague prospering.”
“EuroLeague’s aggressiveness and provocative arrogance now exceeds every limit” he said on EuroLeague and went on: “They act anyway they want without considering any consequences. They interfere with the domestic leagues and the National Teams, undermine national players and national leagues, even give lessons on just about everything.”
“EuroLeague and its teams dominate the media promoting their opinions and positions, while degrading our principles and effort. Public opinion is mainly influenced by the press officers of EuroLeague teams and their bosses” he added.
On FIBA and its approach: “On our part, we show an unexplained lack of energy and initiative. We don’t create, but just hide behind initiatives and events controlled by the other side. The worst part is our inaction on the implementation of our decisions.”
“The concept of ONE FIBA combined with the new schedule aims to lead us in a much more prosperous era for basketball all around the world. Within ONE FIBA we can be stronger and face the big challenges much more effectively” he took out on the importance of ONE FIBA and explained: “Unfortunately, instead of accelerating our reforms we have proven incapable of making significant progress in this direction,”
Vassilakopoulos further discussed his worries on the future of basketball in Europe and the need for FIBA to define its role in the continent. He also explained why he believes the rising number of foreign players creates dangers for the national leagues and European basketball as a whole wondering how FIBA can protect the authenticity of European basketball.