SAN JUAN - Alberto Garcia, FIBA Americas Executive Director, has announced his retirement after 19 years of service to world basketball's governing body.

Garcia's career in basketball began in 1962 when he became a referee in his hometown of Mendoza, Argentina. By 1970 he had ascended to the status of national referee and in 1982 he made his debut on the international scene during the South American Championship in Lima, Peru.

"Petete", as he is known in Argentina, retired as an active referee following the 1992 FIBA Americas Championship in Portland in order to become an international instructor. In 1996, FIBA named him among the five best referee instructors in the world.

Garcia joined FIBA Americas in 1998 as Technical Director. He served as a member of the Technical Committees for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. In 2002, he was promoted to Deputy Secretary General under then Secretary General Jenaro "Tuto" Marchand.

In 2006, Garcia became FIBA Americas Secretary General - now known as FIBA Americas Executive Director - and has held that position for the last decade.

Under his direction, FIBA Americas' office has assumed the responsibility of developing basketball throughout the region with special attention given to mini basketball, women's basketball, coaching and referees' education as well as international club competitions, including the creation of the DIRECTV Liga de las Americas in 2007.

Usie Richards, FIBA Americas President, paid tribute to Alberto Garcia: "As a longstanding member of the FIBA Americas family and now as President, it has been an honor and an inspiration to witness firsthand the commitment that Alberto Garcia has for the growth and development of basketball throughout the Americas. The basketball family in our region will be always grateful for the achievements and success he has brought forward as our Executive Director."

Patrick Baumann, FIBA Secretary General and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member, added: "On behalf of FIBA, I would like to thank Alberto Garcia for all that he has done since joining the organisation 19 years ago. His hard work, complete dedication and unwavering commitment - especially in the last decade as Americas' Executive Director - are to be commended. I would like to wish him all the best for the future."

FIBA has begun the search for Alberto Garcia's successor. Meanwhile, Usie Richards will take over the function of FIBA Americas Executive Director ad-interim until the position is filled.

FIBA