FIBA welcomes ASOIF President to the House of Basketball

MIES (Switzerland) - FIBA President Hamane Niang and Secretary General Andreas Zagklis welcomed the President of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), Francesco Ricci Bitti, last week to the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball. 

The discussions were focused on the close relationship between FIBA and ASOIF, with FIBA playing an active role in various projects with the association, participating in numerous consultative groups and chairing the ASOIF Technology and Innovation Consultative Group. 

The meeting also discussed the role of FIBA in the protection of the European Model of Sport and both parties welcomed the recent resolution from the European Parliament who has adopted a comprehensive resolution on the EU Sport Policy, recognizing the role of international federations and highlighting the threats presented by breakaway leagues. President Ricci Bitti also enjoyed a guided tour of the Naismith Arena, FIBA's museum.  

"It was a great pleasure to meet FIBA President Hamane Niang and Secretary General Andreas Zagklis at the House of Basketball," said ASOIF President Ricci Bitti. "This was my first time in this beautiful building after having had to miss the inauguration ceremony, and it presented a valuable opportunity to pay tribute to my friend Patrick Baumann who is so dearly missed. FIBA is an important and strong member of the ASOIF family and the meeting allowed us to exchange views on a number of pressing topics."

"There is a long-lasting, established partnership between FIBA and ASOIF and we are honored to have President Ricci Bitti visit us at our headquarters," FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis said.  ASOIF is located in Lausanne, the Olympic capital, and not too far away from the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball. "The President and I have expressed how FIBA remains a proud member of the ASOIF family and is fully committed to working together on a wide array of topics in order to promote the Olympic values."

FIBA will continue to support ASOIF in its numerous projects, including coordination with the International Olympic Committee and the rest of the Olympic Movement for a consolidated response to closed leagues. 

FIBA