MIES (Switzerland) – FIBA’s Central Board convened today at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball for the first time since its inaugural meeting in September 2019. The Central Board had not been able to meet in person due to the pandemic and members were warmly welcomed to FIBA headquarters on the shores of Lake Geneva. The Central Board along with FIBA HQ staff were also invited to a special function on Thursday night to celebrate the occasion.
 

With a very busy calendar of events for 2022, including the Women’s World Cup and three Continental Cups, the first meeting of the year had a full agenda. The following key topics were discussed:

FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 and Qualifying Tournaments

The Central Board heard reports on the recent FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 Qualifying Tournaments that were held in February in Serbia, Japan, the USA and the Dominican Republic. A progress report was also received on the ongoing preparations for the upcoming FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022. The draw for the highly anticipated event was recently confirmed in Sydney, Australia, and pre-ticket sales were launched earlier this month, with general public tickets going on sale on March 29.

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 and Qualifiers

Preparations continue for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 across the three host countries of the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. Reports were received on this progress along with the two Qualifier windows that have been played, the most recent in February. The next window will take place from June 27 to July 5.

The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 also moved another step closer to becoming a reality earlier this month, with tickets for the global showcase in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia going on sale.

FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup’s 2022

The Central Board received reports on the upcoming U17 World Cups, with the men’s tournament taking place in Spain from July 2 to 10, and the women in Hungary, as part of the multi-host model, from July 9 to 17. Both draws for the men’s and women’s were confirmed this month in Malaga and Budapest.

FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026

Following the recent review of the current women’s competition system and the Executive Committee’s decision to implement a new competition that will act as pre-qualifiers to the next World Cup or to the next Olympic Games, the Central Board has approved the proposed expansion of the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 to 16 teams, and the roster of the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers to 24 teams qualified from the respective Continental Cups 2025. These decisions are in line with FIBA’s Women in Basketball strategic objective, with the aim of granting a larger number of National Federations meaningful and regular international competitions. The bidding process for the 2026 edition of the flagship women’s event will open in the next weeks.

Club Competitions 

Updates were presented to the Central Board on the Basketball Champions League (BCL) sixth season, with Quarter-Finals starting on April 5. Status reports were also received on the current Basketball Champions League Americas (BCLA) third season, with Quarter-Finals starting on April 6, and the Basketball Africa League, which tipped off on March 5 in Senegal.

A report was also given on the FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2022 which was played for the first time in Africa, in Egypt, from February 11 to 13. It was also the first time in basketball history that a club competition featured teams from four different regional leagues. Flamengo, from Brazil, was crowned the winner.

Impact of the situation in Ukraine

Following the recent decision by FIBA on Russian teams and officials, the Central Board approved the proposal to maintain the current protective measures in place until mid-May, when a new evaluation of the situation and appropriate decisions can be made.

Safeguarding of players

The Central Board has approved the creation of the FIBA Safeguarding Council. The FIBA Safeguarding Council will act as an advisory body to FIBA on matters related to safeguarding and protection of vulnerable groups of basketball participants. It will also provide advice on helping to ensure a safe environment for all FIBA stakeholders is in place and address other relevant matters. HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, IOC member and President of the National Olympic Committee of Jordan, has been appointed as the Founding Chairman of the Safeguarding Council.

Other Matters

The Central Board heard from the FIBA Foundation on its current Basketball For Good programs and Cultural Heritage activities. The Foundation’s planned projects for 2022 and activities linked to the FIBA 90th anniversary celebrations were also presented.

Progress reports were given on FIBA’s current strategic priorities for the cycle: Empower National Federations, Women in Basketball and Enlarge FIBA Family.

The Central Board approved the FIBA Consolidated Financial Statements for 2021.

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Russia’s Maria Sharapova will compete at the Brisbane International in January after receiving a wildcard.

The 32-year-old former world number one played just 15 matches in 2019 because of a long-term shoulder injury.

Five-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova last played a competitive match in the first round of the US Open in August.

“Brisbane, I’ve missed you and I’m so excited to be starting off my year 2020 at your tournament, in your city,” Sharapova said in a social media video.

“I’ve missed the fans, I’ve missed the event so much, and I am so looking forward to seeing everyone.”

Also set to compete at the event, which runs from 6 to 12 January, is defending champion Karolina Pliskova, world number one Ashleigh Barty and Naomi Osaka.

The tournament is seen as a warm-up for the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open in Melbourne, which starts on 20 January.

With her ranking of 133 in the world, Sharapova will need a wildcard to gain direct entry to the main draw of the Australian Open – a tournament she won in 2008.

She failed a drugs test at the 2016 Australian Open, leading to a 15-month ban from tennis.

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BRISBANE: England turned in an impressive all-round team performance to beat Australia by four wickets in the second one-day international at the Gabba on Friday.

After restricting Australia to 270 for nine from their 50 overs, the English cruised past the total with 5.4 overs to spare.

“I thought our bowlers were exceptional,” England captain Eoin Morgan said.

“On a really hot day they coped very well.”

All of England´s batsmen contributed to the run chase, which was always in control following a 117-run second wicket partnership between Jonny Bairstow (60) and Alex Hales (57).

Joss Buttler (42), Morgan (21) and Chris Woakes (39 not out) all made handy contributions, while Joe Root held the innings together with a measured 46 not out.

“We did enough to win,” Morgan said, adding: “It´s far from our best performance with the bat.

“I suppose that´s exciting in a way. We´re two-nil up in the series and we´re still looking for a complete performance as a batting unit.

“Hopefully that comes in Sydney in Sunday.”

The Australians went into the match without leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who proved expensive in the opening ODI in Melbourne on Sunday, opting for batsman Cameron White instead.

They also handed debuts to paceman Jhye Richardson and wicketkeeper Alex Carey.

However, the decision to go into the match without a recognised spinner proved costly on a pitch that helped the slow bowlers.

Finch, who blasted his 106 from 114 balls, helped Australia get away to a quick start alongside David Warner.

The burly opener looked like he was leading Australia to a score well past 300 but his dismissal, soon after that of Mitchell Marsh, ensured England were able to keep the Australian scoring under control.

Finch and Warner both dominated the English fast bowlers, who pitched too short on the Gabba wicket.

England captain Morgan turned to his spinners with immediate effect.

Moeen Ali had Warner caught at slip for 35, bringing Steve Smith to the crease.

The Australian captain struggled to 18 from 25 balls before part-time off-spinner Root trapped him lbw.

Root then enticed Travis Head into charging down the wicket, only to chip a return catch to the bowler to leave the Australians on 124 for three.

Marsh and Finch consolidated but the scoring rate slowed as they struggled to get Ali, Root and leg-spinner Adil Rashid away.

The Australians then lost three wickets for nine runs to allow the English to take control.

Debutant Carey made a quickfire 27 before he was brilliantly run out by Woakes, who used his football skills to kick the ball into the stumps as the batsman attempted a quick single.

Woakes then had Mitchell Starc caught in the deep before running out Andrew Tye on the last ball of the innings.

Smith conceded Australia were well beaten.

“We´re not playing good enough one day cricket at the moment,” he said.

“We were in a good position at 3-209 with 11 overs to go and we only scored 60 with seven wickets in hand,” he added.

“That´s not enough against a quality English batting line up.”

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