FIBA - FIBA Order of Merit for Boshkov

SAO PAULO (FIBA) - Alexander Boshkov from Bulgaria has been awarded with the FIBA Order of Merit for his 50 years of dedication to basketball during the Final day of the FIBA World Championship for Women in Brazil.

FIBA President Bob Elphinston handed the award shortly before the Final Russia - Australia to the 73-year native of Sofia in recognition to his life-time involvement in basketball on all levels.

Boshkov has been the Secretary General of the Bulgarian Basketball Federation for 31 years. He has been a national level referee and a FIBA Commissioner for many years.

He also served on many European FIBA Commissions and he was a member of the Board of FIBA Europe for 22 years.

He assisted in numerous Olympic Games as well as FIBA World Championships and European Championships.

"I am deeply moved by the honor to receive this prestigious award," stated Boshkov after the ceremony. "I take this award also on behalf of Bulgarian basketball, which over the years gave me a lot of pride and satisfaction. But I am also proud for having been able to contribute to basketball on a global and specifically European level."

"FIBA congratulates Alexander Boshkov for his outstanding services to basketball at a more than 50 years," said FIBA President Bob Elphinston. "Without personalities like Alexander Boshkov, our basketball community would not be the same."

FIBA has also awarded at the same ceremony the FIBA Silver Plate to the President of the Brazilian Basketball Federation, Mr. Gerasime Bozikis and the President of the Sao Paulo Basketball Federation, Mr. Antonio Chakmati.