KINSHASA - FIBA Africa is mourning the death of its former president Dieudonne Eseka Mabusa who died at the age of 79.

Mabusa died after a prolonged battle with an unspecified illness on Christmas Day in the Democratic Republic of Congo capital city of Kinshasa.

Dieudonne Eseka Mabusa (pictured on the left) is seen here with late FIBA President Yvan Mainini (centre) and current FIBA Africa Director Alphonso Bile during the final of  the2011 FIBA AfroBasket Women in Bamako, Mali

A former member of FIBA Africa central board for more than two decades, the Congolese official dedicated many years of his life to the development of the game of basketball on the continent of Africa.

Appointed member of the International Basketball Foundation (IBF), a role he carried out from 2011 to 2014, Mr. Mabusa served as FIBA Africa president from 2010-2014 before being replaced by Mali's Hamane Niang. 

Born on December 11, 1939 in Kinshasa, Mr. Mabusa graduated in Economics in 1960, and in Political and Social Sciences from  the Université Libre de Bruxelles in 1965.

In 1992, Mr. Mabusa was appointed DR Congo Cabinet Director of Youth, Sports and Recreation. Four years later, he was elected Secretary General of the Zairian Basketball Federation, a position he held for 12 years during which he laid the groundwork for the development of basketball in Zaire, now DRC.

At continental level, he was Mabusa was elected President of FIBA Africa Zone IV in 1974.

He became then member of the AFABA (Association des Fédérations Africaines de Basketball Amateur – now FIBA Africa) Executive Committee following the 6th Congress held in Casablanca, and was re-elected every 4 years until 1980.

From 1980 to date, he is appointed Expert at the Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sports of the CSSA (Higher Council of Sport in Africa).

In July 2010, Mabusa was elected FIBA Africa President at the XV Congress of Bamako Mali.

Mr Mabusa's funeral date is to be announced at a later date.

FIBA