By JOE APU
FIBA Africa, the governing body for basketball on the continent, has announced a strategic restructuring aimed at decentralizing its operations and empowering its seven zones. The decision was made during the FIBA Africa Central Board meeting held in Abidjan from November 17 to 19, 2024.
Zone Presidents have been tasked with taking greater responsibility for the National Federations under their jurisdiction. This includes conducting audits of sports facilities in member countries to identify venues capable of hosting top-tier FIBA competitions.
The move comes amid concerns over inadequate facilities in some key member countries. For instance, Nigeria, one of the largest National Federations, lacks world-class venues for major competitions. In recent years, only eight nations – Angola, Cameroon, Cote D’Ivoire, Egypt, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, and Tunisia – have hosted FIBA Africa’s premier tournaments.
The meeting confirmed hosts for upcoming events, with Abidjan set to stage the 2025 Afrobasket Women’s Championship in July and Luanda, Angola, hosting the men’s tournament in August. Nigeria’s D’Tigress will defend their title in the Women’s Afrobasket.
In leadership changes, Mr. Julien Farran has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of FIBA Africa, succeeding Mr. Yira Yacouba, who is retiring. Additionally, Jean Michel of Madagascar, a member of the FIBA Central Board and President of the Development Commission, has been named Vice President of FIBA Africa.
One pressing issue discussed was the widespread use of overaged players in youth competitions such as the U-16 and U-18 categories. To address this, a task force will be established to impose strict penalties and enforce compliance with age regulations.
Retired Colonel Samuel Ahmedu, the newly elected FIBA Africa Executive Member and President of Zone 3, emphasized the importance of training and organizational development. “Training for Secretary Generals of National Federations was proposed and approved during the Central Board meeting. National Federations must also ensure greater participation in 3×3 activities,” he said.
Meanwhile, FIBA Africa confirmed that the BAL (Basketball Africa League) Elite 16 East Division will take place in Nairobi, Kenya, from November 28 to December 3, 2024.
These decisions signal FIBA Africa’s commitment to raising the standard of basketball across the continent while addressing longstanding challenges.