ESP - Ernesto Segura de Luna passed away

BARCELONA/GENEVA (FIBA) - One of the biggest contributors to the success story of Spanish basketball has passed away. Ernesto Segura de Luna, the former President of the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB), passed away on Saturday, at the age of 86, in Mataró, a city located 30 km. away from his hometown, Barcelona.

Segura de Luna lead the Spanish Basketball Federation for 25 years before he handed over reins to the current President, José Luis Sáez, in 2004. Mr. Segura de Luna, who became Honorary President of FEB in 2004, was previously President of FIBA Europe, a member of the FIBA Central Board and member of various FIBA commissions, being particularly notable his contributions as a fine jurist in the FIBA Legal Commission.

Among many other recognitions, Segura de Luna was a recipient of the FIBA Order of Merit (in November 2002) and of the Olympic Order from the Spanish National Olympic Committee (in 2005). On 17th March 2006 he received a very well-deserved tribute from FEB and FIBA Europe, with the presence of over 150 personalities from the world of sport, including FIBA Secretary General Emeritus, Borislav Stankovic, and FIBA Secretary General, Patrick Baumann.

“This is a tragic loss for Spanish Basketball and for the international basketball community”, said FIBA Secretary General and IOC member Patrick Baumann. “'Don Ernesto' was a fine gentleman, well appreciated and loved by all. Much of the success of the Spanish basketball teams today was built on the work of Ernesto Segura de Luna. We will miss him and his profound knowledge of the sport. Our thoughts are with his family and with the Spanish basketball community.”

FIBA