RIGA (Latvia) - The annual FIBA Europe General Assembly took place in the Latvian capital Riga on Saturday, May 24.
The event, which was hosted by the Latvian Basketball Association, brought together representatives from across the continent, with 45 of the 50 European National Federations represented.
FIBA Europe President Jorge Garbajosa chaired the session, with FIBA President Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani, FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, FIBA Executive Director Europe Kamil Novak and members of the FIBA Europe Board also in attendance.
Raimonds Vejonis, President of the Latvian Basketball Association, welcomed all the delegates on behalf of the hosts, highlighting the importance of such an event taking place in Latvia, which will also host FIBA EuroBasket 2025 later this year.
In his opening speech, FIBA Europe President Mr. Garbajosa reflected on a year of strong achievements and sustained unity in the face of global challenges, paying special attention to the strength and resilience of the family of European National Federations.
He also addressed ongoing developments in the landscape of men’s and women’s club competitions, including discussions about the NBA project in Europe and the enormous success of the inaugural EuroLeague Women Final Six in Zaragoza, Spain.
FIBA President Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani underscored Europe’s key role in global basketball and praised ongoing efforts to strengthen youth development and club competitions across the continent.
He reaffirmed FIBA’s strong support for Europe and its National Federations and called to stay united amid various challenges, external pressures and global conflicts.
FIBA Executive Director Europe Mr. Novak presented a comprehensive report covering all FIBA Europe events, development programs and activities over the past year.
He highlighted another season of exceptional growth in EuroLeague Women and offered an in-depth overview of the preparations for the upcoming FIBA EuroBasket and FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 tournaments.
In his intervention, FIBA Secretary General Mr. Zagklis focused on FIBA’s strategic priorities and objectives.
He highlighted ongoing efforts to empower National Federations through various FIBA initiatives and underscored FIBA’s commitment to elevating women’s basketball, not only on the court but also by ensuring greater representation in all areas of the sport.
Mr. Zagklis also reflected on recent developments in the landscape of European club competitions, as well as other key focus areas, including youth development, 3x3 basketball, national team competitions, as well as promoting sustainability and innovation within the FIBA family.
The delegates were also presented with reports by the FIBA Europe Treasurer, and also the chairs of the Competitions, Legal, Technical, Women & Equality, Youth, Business Development, Small Countries Commissions, as well as the Management Committee for Special Projects.
FIBA Europe Properties GmbH CEO Mrs. Monika Puchner presented a report on the operations of FIBA Europe Properties, while Walter Pfaller, President of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation Europe offered an overview of activities in wheelchair basketball over the course of the past year.
National Federations were provided with an update on the European club competitions landscape and about the NBA project in Europe and ongoing discussions with Euroleague Commercial Assets.
The General Assembly also approved the recommendation of the FIBA Europe Board regarding amendments to the Bye-Laws to de-recognize the following leagues:
Balkan Basketball League (BIBL);
Baltic Basketball League (BBL);
European Youth Basketball League (EYBL) (currently recorded in FIBA Europe Bye-Laws Annex 2 list as “North European Youth Basketball League”) and all its affiliated leagues.
The General Assembly received an update on the status of the two ongoing conflicts in the region and their impact on international basketball, and endorsed the current measures, with the status quo remaining in place.
As per the proposal of the FIBA Europe Board, the General Assembly endorsed the award of FIBA Europe Honorary Member title to Cyriel Coomans and the title of FIBA Europe Honorary Treasurer to Karl Thaller.
Following the conclusion of the General Assembly, participants also took part in a workshop exploring two distinct themes: artificial intelligence and branding.
The next FIBA Europe General Assembly will be hosted by the Icelandic Basketball Federation on May 16, 2026 in Reykjavik.
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