By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
A change of guard in the presidency of FIBA will be announced before the start of the World Cup. The FIBA Congress will decide who will be the heir of Horacio Muratore and all the national federations will meet for the first time under new secretary general Andreas Zagklis (photo).
Per FIBA: The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 tips off on Saturday, August 31, but before the action begins FIBA’s National Member Federations will be meeting in Beijing this week, at the XXI FIBA Congress.
On Wednesday, August 28 FIBA’s Central Board will meet for the last time for the present term of office. The XXI FIBA Congress will assemble on Thursday and Friday, August 29 and 30, to reflect on the 2014-2019 term.
The Congress will also take time to thank outgoing FIBA President Horacio Muratore, who took over the presidency in 2014, and will also elect a new president to serve for the upcoming term, 2019-2023.
More than 170 National Federations are attending the Congress and there will be an election of the Treasurer and of the Central Board for a new 4-year mandate.
The plenary session will also include the FIBA Awards Ceremony, recognizing FIBA’s National Member Federations for their success and excellent work.
The FIBA Congress plenary session will be streamed live on FIBA’s YouTube channel from 9:00-17:00 on Thursday, August 29 (all times local; GMT+8).
Friday, August 30 will include Breakout Sessions for the 400+ delegates that will discuss National Federation Development, Basketball for Good and Mini Basketball and International Club Competitions. FIBA’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for 2019 will also take place at a luncheon. The Hall of Fame has been recognizing basketball’s best international players and coaches for over 12 years now and this year will see 11 world-class basketball personalities inducted at a special ceremony.
The XXI FIBA Congress concludes with the delegates attending the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Opening Ceremony, being held at The Water Cube, the former Beijing 2008 Olympic Games venue, on Friday evening. The ceremony will showcase an impressive blend of Chinese culture with the World of Basketball.