Argentina National Senate Honors Muratore

SANTIAGO DEL ESTERO (FIBA) — The President of the International Basketball Federation, Horacio Muratore, received the Senator Domingo Faustino Sarmiento Honorable Mention, in recognition of his outstanding career and his contributions to Argentine and world basketball.

This award was promoted by Gerardo Montenegro, senator for the Santiago del Estero province, and was supported by the Association of Clubs, through their President, Fabián Borro.

The activity took place in the Argentine Congress’ Salón Azul, and welcomed a great variety of guests, among which were present the main legislative authorities, representatives of Argentina’s national and Tucumán province governments, the Argentine Olympic Committee authorities, the Argentine Basketball Confederation (CABB, for its Spanish acronym), the Argentine Association of Basketball Clubs, and others.

“It is quite an important day because we are honoring Horacio Muratore, who has a lot history at Santiago del Estero. He has always visited us since he was a fan of the Tucumán team and, still today, when he’s a leader of the most important basketball. It was always a pleasure to see him walk in the north country and push the rest of the important figures in basketball and in the federations to organize and create the conditions so that our athletes constantly improve. In Horacio, all of us Argentine sports leaders feel represented. It is an honor that he has arrived in his career to the greatest level one can strive for internationally”, said Gerardo Montenegro, national senator of the province of Santiago del Estero.

“Horacio is a leader who has roots and legitimacy. Roots, because he arose from a club; legitimacy, because his colleagues have chosen him. This demonstrates his character and trajectory. He occupied every position and took every step; from his club to his federation, to the Association, to the Argentine Confederation. Then at the international level, he went from the continent to the highest place. Horacio represents us. He is our mirror”, said Fabián Borro, President of the Association of Clubs of the Argentine National League.

“For those of us who are part of the sports family, each time we encounter sporting referents that are of such a historic importance, we feel joy, satisfaction and pride. It's an honor to concede this recognition to Horacio Muratore —a figure that has done so much for our sport around the world,” said Julio Catalán Magni, national senator for the Tierra de Fuego province.

At the homage, Muratore was surprised by a video tribute featuring members of his family.

“This is an honor that truly moves me, because it is linked to the legacy that I have had the chance to establish in the different institutions that I belonged to since my club years —from the Tucumán BB to the International Federation. Since the beginning, in my first steps as a coach, I learned the true value of friendship, respect and honesty. Beyond all the accomplishments, having the support of my family, who have been by my side during all the decisions I have taken throughout all these years, has been the most important thing. They are the reason for any success I have had as a sports leader. Thank you very much. Today I can reaffirm how passionate I feel about this sport —basketball— that has given me so much,” said Horacio Muratore.

The Honorable Mention is one of the most important recognitions conferred by the Argentine Senate. It is bestowed since 2004 to outstanding figures from different backgrounds.

FIBA