LONDON (United Kingdom) - Great Britain's Ken Charles, who spent the majority of his life promoting basketball and introducing kids to the sport the world over, has died. He was 87.

Charles was very influential in the development of basketball in the United Kingdom, which he first came to know at the age of 23 while a teacher in London. He soon after introduced children and staff to the sport when he became the head teacher at the newly founded Greneway School in Hertfordshire.

Charles devoted much of his energies to Mini-Basketball, which he was led to in 1976 by FIBA's first Secretary General, William Jones.

Charles led and managed the development of the important children's sport across the world, presiding over conferences and zone Mini-Basketball committees. He tutored the training of experienced coaches who then returned home to their respective countries to share the philosophy and good practice of Mini-Basketball.

He received the FIBA Order of Merit in 2002.

During his career, Charles served as Executive Chairman and President of Basketball England, and as President Emeritus.

FIBA