Doha (Qatar) / Thimphu (Bhutan) / Almaty (Kazakhstan) – Three FIBA Asia Sub-Zones conducted their Coordination Council (CC) meetings this past fortnight setting the course for the future in events planning and grassroots development, at the foundational level of the FIBA Organisational structure.
The series of meetings began with Doha in Qatar hosting the CC meeting for Gulf Basketball Association on Oct 9 followed by Bhutanese capital Thimphu hosting the meeting for South Asian Basketball Association on Oct 12. The Central Asian Basketball Association CC meeting took place in Almaty (Kazakhstan) on Oct 15.
“The sub-zones are the root and foundations for in the FIBA Organisation structure. Therefore, the strength and capabilities of the sub-zones need to be developed and enhanced in order for all higher levels to succeed,” said Mr. Hagop Khajirian, FIBA Executive Director-Asia who attended all the meetings.
Discussions were held with the members of the Coordination Councils on the measures to be implemented for the Sub-Zone platform to play a more active role in empowering the National Federations.
A road map was proposed for the Coordination Councils to be taken forward further to the National Federations in their respective regions to improve the quality and quantity of Technical Officials through workshops and clinics at the Sub-Zone level.
There were also discussions held to explore the possibility of a fixed calendar for the Sub-Zone competitions that qualify teams to the respective FIBA Asia events.
“We have a crucial period ahead of us in Asian basketball in implementing the three FIBA Strategic Priorities for 2023-2027 cycle. The meetings that we had over the past two weeks were a great opportunity to firth reflect and introspect on what has been achieved for the past two years. They were also a great platform to receive inputs from the members on how to implement the programs better in the future,” Mr. Khajirian said.
The Gulf BA meeting was chaired by GBA President Mr. Mohammed Saad Al Meghaiseeb (QAT) and was also attended by FIBA President Sheikh Saud Ali Althani and FIBA Asia Board member Dr. Ghassan Tashkandi.
GBA Vice-President Mr. Mohammed Nasser Said Al Hasani (OMA), GBA Secretary General Mr. Saadoun Al Kuwari (QAT), GBA Treasurer Mr. Thamer Al Shanfa, Treasurer (KUW) and GBA CC members Mr. Salim Rashid Salim Almutawaa (UAE) and Mr. Hamoud Almaliki (KSA) were the other members present.
SABA President Mr. Ahmed Adam (MDV) chaired the SABA CC meeting, which was attended by SABA Vice-President Mr. Narendra Thapa (NEP), SABA Secretary General Mr. Chander Mukhi Sharma (IND), SABA Treasurer Mr. Paul Newman Wijerathne (SRI) and members Mr. Ranjit Chandra Das (BAN), Ms. Tshering Lhaden (BHU), Mr. Ajay Sud (IND) and Mr. Ouj E Zahoor (PAK). Bhutan NF Secretary General Mr. Sonam Tobgay, Secretary General of BHU attended the meeting as the representative of the host NF.
CABA President Mr. Abay Alpamyssov (KAZ) and CABA Secretary General Mr. Almaz Uzakov (KAZ) attended the CABA CC meeting online, which was chaired by CABA Vice-President Mr. Bakhtiyar Kadyrov (KGZ) and member Mr. Batyr Miradilov (UZB). The meeting was also attended by Secretary General of KAZ NF Mrs. Zhuldyz Baidussenova, KGZ Secretary General Mr. Khusanjan Dzharov TJK Secretary General Mr. Timur Pulatov and Deputy Competition Manager of KAZ Mr. Kadyrbek Kamelov. TKM Secretary General Mrs. Bahar Mahutomova attended the meeting online.
FIBA