ITA - Maifredi leaves FIP post six months early

ROME (FIP) - Fausto Maifredi had six months to serve as president of the Italian Basketball Federation but this week took the decision to call it quits.

The 59-year-old tendered his resignation on Wednesday.

In a statement on FIP.it, Maifredi said: "I have had the pleasure and honor to represent and lead the FIP the past several years.

“It´s for the good of the movement that I have handed in my resignation before the end of my presidency."

Six members of the board also resigned on September 21.

Under Maifredi, Italy’s men’s national side has enjoyed a lot of success.

The Azzurri won the gold medal at EuroBasket 1999, bronze at EuroBasket 2003, silver at the 2004 Olympics and gold at the 2005 Mediterranean Games.

The team needed a wild card to compete at the 2006 FIBA World Championship and last year did not progress to the quarter-finals of the EuroBasket in Spain, forcing Carlo Recalcati’s team to go through qualifying this summer.

After winning just four of eight games, the Italians failed to earn direct qualification and will next summer attempt to win the one place still up for grabs in the Additional Qualifying Round.

The women have not been as prominent, though last year the Azzurre did host the EuroBasket Women in Chieti where they reached the Quarter-Final Qualifying Round.

Italy earlier this year announced their bid to host the 2014 FIBA World Championship.

FIBA