MANAMA (Bahrain) - Delegates have signed off on a memorable and landmark FIBA Mid-Term Congress 2025 by enjoying discussions on a range of key themes in the sport, including Women in Basketball, 3x3, and the FIBA Plus initiative. Representatives of the unprecedented 167 National Federations in attendance were involved in multiple breakout sessions on the second day. This followed learning about a range of new services for National Federations on day one of the congress.
Heralded as the number one growth area for the sport and also one of FIBA’s Strategic Priorities, there was a breakout session dedicated to unlocking the power of Women’s Basketball. This was framed around the importance of global integration and a commitment to empowering individuals both on and off the court. With a spotlight on fan engagement and the pivotal role National Federations play, the session emphasized actionable strategies to further elevate the women’s basketball movement worldwide. Meanwhile, the unstoppable momentum of 3x3 has also played a major role in the growth of the urban discipline globally, and those in attendance were given advice on how to best position teams for future World Cup and Olympic qualification.
There was also a session on FIBA Plus, which is helping to shape the future of the sport in its capacity as the umbrella for all National Federation development initiatives. The sessions provided participants with an overview of its comprehensive collection of programs designed to meet the specific needs of National Federations, complemented by insights from the Kosovo Basketball Federation, who shared their firsthand experience with the initiative.
Other breakout activities took place in respect of accessing and benefiting from Olympic Solidarity funding, as well as understanding NCAA Developments in players’ compensation, particularly the impacts on FIBA stakeholders and recommendations for the future.
The breakout sessions followed an engaging afternoon on day one of the FIBA Mid-Term Congress, where delegates were introduced to a range of new services from FIBA tailored for National Federations. The session spotlighted several major initiatives, offering attendees valuable insights into the evolving support structures available to them.
This included the official launch of the FIBA Academy, unveiling a suite of innovative initiatives designed to help elevate the global basketball community. Highlights include a targeted leadership program for current and emerging leaders and executives from National Federations, Leagues, and Clubs, a Global Women in Basketball Community activation, and a dedicated interactive digital game to support young players in managing their off-court careers and personal development.
Participants were given a deep dive into FIBA’s impressive and accelerating digital growth across multiple platforms, underscoring the organization’s commitment to innovation, as well as discovering AI-powered digital and media asset management solutions.
In addition, a comprehensive presentation on eFIBA offered congress attendees a perspective on the future of the discipline, outlining strategic developments and expansion plans that signal exciting times ahead, including the recent eFIBA World Finals host announcement for 2026 and 2027 in Qatar.
Many of those present then headed to the FIBA Hall of Fame Class of 2025 ceremony at the impressive Bahrain National Theatre, where seven players and one coach were inducted in recognition of their achievements and contribution to the sport. These were Alphonse Bile (Côte d'Ivoire), Andrew Bogut (Australia), Leonor Borrell (Cuba), Pau Gasol (Spain), Ticha Penicheiro (Portugal), Ratko Radovanovic (Serbia), Dawn Staley (USA) and Mike Krzyzewski (USA).
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