MIES (Switzerland) - The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Gabriel Zangenfeind as its new Secretary General. The decision was made during the IWBF Executive Council meeting held on the 12 – 13 April 2025 at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland.
The appointment follows the deeply saddening and sudden passing of IWBF’s former Secretary General, Norbert Kucera, whose dedication, integrity, and leadership left a lasting legacy in the wheelchair basketball community.
Over the past decade, Mr. Zangenfeind worked closely with Mr. Kucera across many areas of IWBF’s operations. Among their many collaborations, one of the most notable was their joint work on the establishment of the IWBF Players’ Commission – an initiative they both regarded as a key strategic priority, aimed at empowering players to have a recognised and institutionalised voice within IWBF. Gabriel brings with him a deep understanding of IWBF’s governance, operations, and values, as well as a genuine passion for wheelchair basketball.
IWBF President Ulf Mehrens said: "Gabriel’s passion for our sport, combined with his professional expertise, makes him the ideal person to lead IWBF into its next chapter. He has been a valuable part of our Executive Council and has shown great commitment to IWBF’s mission and community."
Mr Zangenfeind’s involvement with wheelchair basketball first began in 2015 during his tenure at FIBA, where one of his tasks was to act as liaison to IWBF. Following his departure from FIBA, he remained deeply engaged in the sport, as a committed volunteer, a member of the Commission for Legal Matters and Eligibility (CLME), and since 2023, as the elected Chair of the Commission and a member of IWBF’s Executive Council.
With a background in sport governance, innovation consulting, and project management, he brings a diverse skill set and a strong strategic outlook. A graduate of Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich, where he studied Political Science with a minor in Law, Mr. Zangenfeind further sharpened his business acumen by earning an MBA from EAE Business School in Madrid. His professional experience spans roles at FIBA, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and most recently, co-founding Craft Clarity, an innovation and digitalisation agency.
Gabriel Zangenfeind said: "Firstly, I wish to thank the Executive Council members for entrusting me with this important role. Stepping into this position is both an immense honour and an emotional moment for me. Though I continue to feel the loss of Norbert, my predecessor and friend, I take on this responsibility with great respect and a commitment to continuing the work he was so passionately devoted.
"Looking ahead, I am conscious that the tasks in front of us are extensive, but so are the opportunities. Building on Norbert’s legacy, I look forward to working hand in hand with our national organisations for wheelchair basketball, players, fans, partners and the wider sporting community in support of IWBF’s mission to grow the sport of wheelchair basketball around the world."
The appointment also marks a major milestone in the evolving relationship between IWBF and FIBA. Beginning May 1, 2025, the IWBF Secretary General will be based at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball - the home of FIBA - signifying the strengthening alignment between IWBF and the wider basketball family.
This new chapter builds upon the shared vision of the late FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann and Mr. Kucera, a vision that sees basketball and wheelchair basketball as united within a single global basketball community.
With IWBF’s operational presence set to be inside FIBA’s headquarters, the collaboration will foster greater knowledge exchange, institutional cooperation, and strategic synergy. For the first time, the wheelchair basketball family will have a permanent corporate office at the heart of the international basketball world.
“FIBA fully supports Gabriel's appointment and looks forward to welcoming him as the first IWBF Secretary General to be based at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball. This watershed moment follows the signing of a new strategic partnership agreement between FIBA and the IWBF that enhances our shared commitment to 'Stronger Together', the principle of our close relationship within one big basketball family," said FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis.
As the IWBF embarks on this new chapter, it does so with deep appreciation for the foundations laid by Norbert Kucera - whose values, commitment, and vision will remain central to the federation’s path forward.
FIBA