FIBA
Fédération Internationale de Basketball
Patrick Baumann
Yvan Mainini
The International Basketball Federation, more commonly known as FIBA (
/ˈfiËbÉ™/ fee-bÉ™), from its French name Fédération Internationale de Basketball, is an association of national organizations which governs international competition in basketball. Originally known as the Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur (hence FIBA), in 1989 it dropped the word Amateur from its official name but retained the initialism, the "BA" now representing the first two letters of basketball.
FIBA defines the international rules of basketball, specifies the equipment and facilities required, regulates the transfer of athletes across countries, and controls the appointment of international referees. A total of 214 national federations are now members, organized since 1989 into five zones or "commissions": Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.
The FIBA World Championship is a world basketball tournament for men's national teams held every four years. Teams compete for the Naismith Trophy, named in honor of basketball's creator James Naismith. The tournament structure is similar but not identical to that of the FIFA World Cup in football; these tournaments have occurred in the same year since 1970. A parallel event for women's teams, the FIBA World Championship for Women, is also held quadrennially, in the same year as the men's event but in a different country.
In 2009 FIBA announced three new tournaments: two 12-team U-17 World Championships (one each for men and women) to be played in July 2010, and an eight-team FIBA World Club Championship to be launched in October 2010.
Contents
[edit] History
The association was founded in Geneva in 1932, two years after the sport was officially recognized by the IOC. Its original name was Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur. Eight nations were founding members: Argentina, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, and Switzerland. During the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin, the Federation named James Naismith (1861–1939), the founder of basketball, as its Honorary President.
FIBA has organized a World Championship for men since 1950 and a World Championship for Women since 1953. Both events are now held every four years, alternating with the Olympics.
In 1989, FIBA opened the door to Olympic participation by professionals such as players from the NBA in the United States. At this point, the Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur became the Fédération Internationale de Basketball, but retained FIBA as an abbreviation.
The Federation headquarters moved to Munich in 1956, then returned to Geneva in 2002. Patrick Baumann is the Secretary General of FIBA.
In 1991 it founded FIBA Hall of Fame, the first induction ceremony was held on 12 September 2007 during EuroBasket 2007.
[edit] Presidents
Leon Bouffard-
1932-1939:
James A. Naismith (honourary)
Willard Greim 1960–1968: 
Antonio dos Reis Carneiro 1968–1976: 
Abdel Moneim Wahby 1976–1984: 
Gonzalo Puyat II 1984–1990: Robert Busnel 1990–1998: George E. Killian 1998–2002: 
Abdoulaye Seye Moreau 2002–2006: 
Dr. Carl Men Ky Ching (程万ç¦) 2006–2010: 
Bob Elphinston 2010–2014: Yvan Mainini (ran unopposed)[edit] Secretaries General
[edit] Tournaments
Current champions:
[edit] National teams
[edit] Clubs
Note:
