International Basketball Federation

Infobox Organization
name = International Basketball Federation
"Fédération Internationale de Basketball"


size = 200
caption =


msize =
mcaption =
motto = We Are Basketball
formation = June 18 1932
extinction =
type = Sport federation
headquarters = Geneva, Switzerland
location =
membership = 213 national federations
language = English, French, Spanish, Russian, German [2006 "General Statutes" of FIBA, Article 37.6]
general = Patrick Baumann
leader_title = President
leader_name = Bob Elphinston
key_people = George Vassilakopoulos, Borislav Stanković, Manfred Ströher
num_staff =
budget =
website = http://www.fiba.com

The International Basketball Federation (French: "Fédération Internationale de Basketball"), more commonly known by the French acronym FIBA (pronounced IPA| [fee-buh] ), is an association of national organizations which governs international competition in basketball. Originally known as the "Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur" (hence FIBA), in 1989 it dropped the "Amateur" from its official name but retained the initialism, because of the first two letters of the word "basketball".

The FIBA defines the international rules of basketball, specifies the equipment and facilities required, regulates the transfer of athletes across countries, and controls the appointment of international referees. 213 national federations are now members, organized since 1989 into five zones or "commissions": Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania.

FIBA is a world basketball tournament for men's national teams held quadrennially by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

A parallel event for women's teams, the FIBA World Championship for Women, is also held quadrennially, in the same year as the men's event but in a different country.

The champion team wins the Naismith Trophy, which was first awarded in the 1967 tournament.

The tournament structure is similar but not identical to that of the FIFA World Cup; both of these international competitions have been played in the same year since 1970.

History

The association was founded in Geneva in 1932, two years after the sport was officially recognized by the IOC. Its original name was "Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur". Eight nations were founding members: Argentina, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, and Switzerland. During the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin, the Federation named James Naismith (1861-1939), the founder of basketball, as its Honorary President.

FIBA has organized a World Championship for men since 1950 and a World Championship for Women since 1953. Both events are now held every four years, alternating with the Olympics.

In 1989, FIBA opened the door to Olympic participation by professionals such as players from the NBA in the United States. At this point, the "Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur" became the "Fédération Internationale de Basketball", but retained "FIBA" as an abbreviation.

The Federation headquarters moved to Munich in 1956, then returned to Geneva in 2002.
Patrick Baumann is the Secretary General of FIBA.

In 1991 it founded FIBA Hall of Fame, the first induction ceremony was held on September 12, 2007 during EuroBasket 2007.

Presidents Vicepresidents

*1932-48: flagicon|SUI Leon Bouffard / 1932-39: flagicon|USA James A. Naismith
*1948-60: flagicon|USA Willard Greim
*1960-68: flagicon|BRA Antonio dos Reis Carneiro
*1968-76: flagicon|EGY Abdel Moneim Wahby
*1976-84: flagicon|PHI Gonzalo Puyat II
*1984-90: flagicon|FRA Robert Busnel
*1990-98: flagicon|USA George E. Killian
*1998-2006: flagicon|SEN Abdoulaye Seye Moreau
*2006-present: flagicon|AUS Bob Elphinston

ecretaries General

*1932-76: flagicon|GBR R. William Jones
*1976-95: flagicon|SRB Bora Stanković
*1995-present: flagicon|SUI Patrick Baumann

New Tournament

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) announced that the first edition of the 12-team FIBA U17 World Championship for Men and Women that will be played in July 2010.

Tournaments

Current champions:

National teams

FIBA World Rankings

* #1 men's team: bk|ARG
* #1 women's team: bk|USA
* #1 combined ranking: bk|USA

References

External links

* [http://www.fiba.com FIBA official site]
* [http://www.interbasket.net InterBasket - International Basketball News, Blog and Forum, covering FIBA, Euroleague, NBA]
* [http://www.frozenhoops.com History of amateur and professional basketball in Canada at Frozen Hoops]
* [http://www.theplayersforum.com ThePlayersForum.com - Site dedicated to helping sports players achieve their dream of playing internationally]
* [http://www.talkbasket.com TalkBasket - Basketball news and discussions]
* [http://www.mediazone.com MediaZone - Official Broadband Provider site]
* [http://www.sports-city.org/news_details.php?news_id=4888&idCategory=149 New Tournament FIBA U17 World Championship]