FIBA Americas Medical Committee sets standardization goals for all National Federations

SAN JUAN (Americas) - The Medical Committee held its first meeting on Saturday, March 19, at the regional office of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in the Americas with the prime objective of process standardization for every national federation in the continent.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Medical Committee Luis Castillo (Uruguay), Vice chair Diego Grippo (Argentina), members Rene Best (Barbados) and Arnaldo Rodriguez, along with observer and President of the Caribbean Basketball Federation (CBC) Glyne Clark, FIBA Americas President Usie Richards and FIBA Americas Executive director Alberto Garcia.

The Committee focused its first meeting on establishing a work plan towards educating and preparing National Federations to implement the necessary changes required by the New Competition System, with emphasis on the medical and anti-doping issues, inclusive of health insurance and as it relates to the FIBA Hosting Guidelines, with a focus on the creation of medical teams in each federation with full knowledge of the role of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC).

"This is a truly historic meeting with some of the greatest minds in the medical field as it relates to basketball in the Americas.", said Castillo. "This committee is aware of the challenges that lie ahead for the new competition system and the processes that need to be flawless as soon as we tip-off in 2017. The health of our participants is a priority for everyone involved and it is important that we come together and explore the different ways in which we can help our national federation succeed in the different medical aspects that need to be in place in each hosting endeavour".

"Every member of this Committee is focused on helping and educating the different national federations on the importance of having a medical team that understands and can implement standard procedures and guidelines in line with FIBA’s mission. We are here to create the roadmap for this to happen successfully. Today was a great first step in that direction.", added the Chairman of the Committee.

The Medical Committee concluded its first meeting with a commitment to maintain open communication channels and meet, even if not in person, every 90 days.

"The Medical Committee has laid the foundation for an education process to begin in our national federations with the goal of helping them be prepared for what the new competition system will require in relation to the health of our players. This is a priority and we are fortunate to have a Committee in full knowledge of every process and potential issue that may arise going forward and it is important that we are gearing up to be prepared for this in order to be successfully prepared for tip-off.", concluded the FIBA Americas President Usie Richards.

FIBA