FIBA opens new headquarters in Abidjan


The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has opened a new headquarters in Abidjan in the Cote d’Ivoire. 

The building was unveiled during a FIBA Central Board meeting, the first to be held in Africa.

Members of FIBA’s Executive Committee and Central Board attended the unveiling, alongside François Amichia, a representative of the Cote d’Ivoire’s Prime Minister and Claude Danho Paulin, the Minister of Sports and Recreation.

The building includes a conference room, a Hall of Fame, offices, a recording studio, a multi-purpose room and a restaurant.

“Nearly 58 years after its creation, FIBA Africa owns its house of basketball,” said FIBA President Horacio Muratore.

“I would like to emphasise the crucial role played by the Ivorian Government in offering hospitality to our organisation for the construction of this headquarters. 

“From the beginning of the talks, we felt the great interest of your country in hosting the house of African basketball.”

FIBA vice-president and FIBA Africa President, Hamane Niang, paid tribute to one of the key contributors to the building, the late Patrick Baumann.

Baumann had held several senior positions in the sporting world, including the role of secretary general of FIBA.

He died while at the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympics Games, aged 51.

“I would like to praise the meeting of FIBA regional director Alphonse Bile and Patrick Baumann which allowed this architectural jewel to come into being,” he said. 

“As a great visionary, Patrick felt that the progress of the game in Africa would go through the construction of a headquarters of international standards.

“That is the reason why, with all of his strength, he supported this project which is also so dear to Alphonse Bile.”

The National Basketball Association and FIBA announced last month that they plan to launch a professional basketball league in Africa.

The Basketball Africa League will feature 12 club teams from across the continent and is set to get under way in January 2020.

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