MIES (Switzerland) - As part of their ongoing partnership, FIBA, through its Foundation, and Kuehne+Nagel have completed the delivery of the original South American Championship trophy to its new home at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland.
Standing at an impressive 190cm and weighing 60kg, the trophy is one of the last remaining relics of the South American Championships - the very first FIBA competition. Originally crafted in 1938 to commemorate the inaugural edition held in 1930, the trophy represents a cornerstone of FIBA's legacy.
The journey of this unique piece of history began in Montevideo, Uruguay, where it had been housed in the offices of the Uruguayan Basketball Federation. From there, it has been transported to Madrid for restoration before ensuring its final secure delivery to FIBA's headquarters, where it will be permanently displayed in the FIBA Museum in Switzerland.
The logistical challenge of transporting such a large and delicate object across continents was handled with precision and care by Kuehne+Nagel, FIBA's Official Global Logistics Supplier since 2023. This project was a demonstration of the broader scope of the partnership, which not only enhances FIBA's logistical operations but also supports its commitment to sustainability and reducing its global CO₂ footprint.
Kuehne+Nagel is our trusted logistics supplier that we can rely on not only when hosting our flagship events, but also particular projects such as this one.
While Kuehne+Nagel supports FIBA year-round with logistics for global events, this occasion was particularly meaningful due to the trophy's historical and symbolic significance.
"This transportation is meaningful for us from a symbolic perspective as the trophy is of immense value to FIBA," said Wolfgang Frässle, Vice-President of Event Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel. "Despite its age, size, and weight, we were able to take it safely to the other side of the world, using sustainable transport solutions."
As the partnership between FIBA and its Official Global Logistics Supplier continues to evolve, both organizations look forward to future collaborations aimed not only at facilitating world-class events but also at preserving and promoting basketball’s cultural heritage for generations to come.
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About the FIBA Foundation The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports, particularly basketball, in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage.
FIBA’s cultural heritage is the heart of the FIBA Foundation’s cultural and historical activities. It is one of the driving forces behind the promotion and dissemination of FIBA’s values.
About Kuehne+Nagel With over 80,000 employees at almost 1,300 sites in close to 100 countries, the Kuehne+Nagel Group is one of the world's leading logistics providers. Kuehne+Nagel is the logistics partner of choice for 400,000 customers worldwide. As a member of the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi), Kuehne+Nagel is committed to sustainable logistics by reducing its own environmental footprint and by supporting its customers with low-carbon logistics solutions.