ASTANA (Kazakhstan) - FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis received a warm welcome from the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kosherbayev in a meeting to discuss the development of the sport in the country.
The pair came together alongside the Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Erbol Myrzabosynov, as well as the President of the Kazakhstan Basketball Federation, Abay Alpamysov, in what proved to be a highly productive meeting.
Seeking to intensify its relationships with international sports federations, the Republic of Kazakhstan is ensuring basketball is at the heart of this strategy. And, to help them successfully meet their goal, the visit was the first to the country by a FIBA Secretary General.
The parties discussed issues of basketball development in Kazakhstan and in the international arena. In particular, they discussed the possibility of the basketball Federation accessing the FIBA Plus program, with a particular focus on developing a national 3x3 basketball strategy. The recent 3x3 expansion to 12 teams for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games has sparked interest from more countries to invest in the second Olympic discipline of FIBA. By offering strategic support, FIBA Plus helps federations worldwide enhance their operations, grow the sport, and compete at the highest possible level.
During his visit, FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis was also able to get better acquainted with the nation's sports infrastructure and to meet with the Republic of Kazakhstan's National Olympic Committee (NOC). NOC President and Olympic boxing legend Gennadiy Golovkin and FIBA Secretary General discussed basketball’s growth in Kazakhstan, national team preparation, and the future of 3x3, with a focus on the upcoming LA 2028 Olympic Games.
This was also particularly beneficial, taking into account that Zagklis has been appointed as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission for the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad, Los Angeles 2028.
FIBA