LUANDA (Angola) - The Angolan Basketball Federation (FAB) and FIBA's Regional Office of Africa honored individuals who have contributed to the growth of basketball in Africa.
FIBA Executive Director Africa Alphonse Bile and FAB Chairman José Moniz Silva hosted the ceremony at the Hotel de Convenções de Talatona (HCTA) in Luanda on Friday, August 22, during the rest day of the 2025 AfroBasket tournament.
These individuals were recognized for their significant contributions to African basketball as players, coaches, referees, executives, and National Federation leaders.
Those in attendance included FIBA Africa President Anibal Manave, FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, Angola's Youth and Sports Minister Rui Falcão, representatives of the teams competing in the 2025 AfroBasket, and current and former players.
FIBA's Regional Office of Africa honored the current and former presidents of the FAB: José Moniz Silva, Carlos Teixeira, António Pires, Gustavo Conceição, and Paulo Madeira. The organization also acknowledged the efforts of former Secretary General António Sofrimento and Minister Rui Falcão.
Other individuals celebrated for their contributions to the advancement of Angolan and African basketball included José Guimarães; media personality Arlindo Macedo; and António Sousa Manuel.
During the ceremony, FIBA Hall of Famers Medhat Warda (2019), Romain Sato (2024), Jean Jacques Conceição (2013), Mathieu Faye (2021), Mame Maty Mbengue (2022) and Alphonse Bile (2025) were also honored.
In his welcome speech, Angola's Youth and Sports Minister Rui Falcão welcomed all the delegations: "On behalf of the Angolan people and the Head of State to celebrate an event that will stay in our memories forever."
"This AfroBasket occurs at a special time for Angola, as we celebrate our 50th anniversary of independence. There is no better way to celebrate our independence than with the biggest basketball event in Africa."
"We would like to thank FIBA, the Angolan Basketball Federation (FAB), the players, officials, and volunteers for their contributions to this special event. This celebration of basketball is not just for Angola; it's for all of Africa."
"It's an event that helps us overcome barriers. May the best team win the championship," said Mr. Falcao. Mr. Falcao noted.
During his speech, Alphonse Bile said, "We now need female African players in the Hall of Fame."
The highlight of the night was the recognition and tributes to Kim Bohuny, Lubomir Kotleba, Pierre Dao, and Amadou Gallo Fall. Alphonse Bile described these individuals as key contributors to African basketball.
Bohuny, an American who currently serves as Senior Advisor, NBA International Basketball Operations, has led the NBA's global expansion for more than three decades. She was part of the NBA's first delegation to the continent in the early 1990s and has been instrumental in the league’s expansion in Africa ever since. She helped launch Basketball Without Borders (BWB), the NBA and FIBA's global basketball development and community outreach program, in 2001, with the Africa edition being held annually since 2003.
The 21st edition of the camp is currently taking place in Kigali, Rwanda.
Lubomir Kotleba, a Slovak who first engaged with African basketball as a referee during the 1977 Junior African Championship in Nigeria, revealed that he recognized Africa's talent early on.
Pierre Dao is a French former coach and executive.
Amadou Gallo Fall is the current President of the Basketball Africa League and former Managing Director of NBA Africa. He helped open the NBA’s office in Johannesburg in 2010 and over the next decade oversaw the league’s grassroots development efforts and partnerships with marketing, media and consumer products companies in Africa.
He is also the Founder of SEED (Sports for Education and Economic Development), a global non-profit organization established in 1998 with the mission of using sport as a vehicle to inspire, empower and support the holistic development of promising African youth, preparing them to become global citizens.
"These four people believe in African basketball," Bile said.
FIBA