SKOPJE (North Macedonia) - The action-packed 2026 FIBA European Mini Basketball Convention & Coaching Course concluded with enormous success in Skopje on Sunday.
The convention, which is an annual event delivered by FIBA Europe in collaboration with FIBA Foundation's Basketball for Good program, was hosted by the North Macedonian Basketball Federation for the first time.
The massive festival saw over 300 children from 50 youth clubs participate in the various activities in a celebratory atmosphere, while 57 international coaches and more than one hundred local coaches attended the festival and the clinics of the Coaching Course.
FIBA Europe President Jorge Garbajosa met with the hosting Federation during the preparations for the Convention and discussed youth development topics with the delegates, while FIBA Executive Director Europe Kamil Novak delivered the official opening address.
"The energy of the children and their pure love of basketball is truly electrifying, it makes me feel enormously proud of the grassroots work our Federations all across Europe are undertaking and very optimistic about the future of our sport,” said Mr. Garbajosa.
“The amazing enthusiasm of the children is matched by the dedication and passion of the wonderful coaches to whom we are trusting their development as people first and athletes second. I wish to congratulate them all, as well as the Basketball for Good program and the North Macedonia Federation for the excellent organization," commented Mr. Novak.
FIBA Specialist Sergio Lara Bercial was in charge of festival activities, which got underway on Thursday with the Coaching Course. Michael Schwarz, FIBA Head of NF & Sport Coaching Europe, welcomed the participants and the introductory lectures were delivered by Maurizio Cremonini and Michael Huth.
The second day was dedicated to practice sessions run by Mr. Cremonini, Mr. Huth and Milena Moulisova while Mr. Bercial delivered a coaching session focusing on offensive tactics.
Day three marked the official opening of the Convention and its schedule included an engaging panel discussion on the importance of partnerships, with the participation of FIBA Head of National Federations and Integrity Europe Radmila Turner, Head of FIBA Foundation Theren Bullock Jr., and the Vice President of Sports & Organizational Development for Special Olympics Europe Eurasia, Miroslaw Krugolec.
The Vice-President of the North Macedonian Basketball Federation, Mladen Gjurovski, and Secretary General Tomche Stojchevski were in attendance.
The schedule also offered a range of interesting presentations, such as ‘New Additions to the Basketball For Good Playbook’, and ‘Safeguarding Principles’ by Mr. Lara Bercial, as well as lectures on planning and running Mini Basketball practices by Ms. Moulisova.
The festival came to a celebratory close on Sunday, with FIBA Europe and the delegates renewing their appointment for the next edition, in the summer of 2027.
FIBA