Coomans honored with FIBA Silver Plate Award

ANTWERP (Belgium) - Cyriel Coomans has been rewarded for his long-standing contribution to basketball by being presented with the FIBA Silver Plate Award at the FIBA Women's Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Belgium. 

He was handed the honor by FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, along with FIBA Europe President Jorge Garbajosa, on a night when the Belgium Cats faced reigning Olympic champions USA in front of a record-breaking crowd in Antwerp. One that got to watch a stunning and dramatic contest that will remembered for many years to come. 

Coomans has been involved with FIBA for 26 years, first starting as a member of the FIBA Legal Commission in 1998. The Belgian also served on the FIBA Central Board.

He was a long-standing FIBA Europe Board member across 16 years, taking up the Vice President role of the Regional Office, as well as the Presidency between 2013 and 2014. 

Involved with an array of different FIBA Commissions, Panels and Committees, he was also Belgian Basketball Federation President and served his National Federation for 16 years. 

Various FIBA dignitaries were at the ceremony in Antwerp to congratulate Mr Coomans

"We are delighted to be able to present this FIBA Silver Plate Award to Cyriel for what has been an exceptional contribution to the sport over many decades," said Zagklis.

"It's well deserved and a recognition of what he has done to support basketball not only in his home country of Belgium but also further afield. His experience of leading a National Federation with important and diverse stakeholders was a great asset on the European and global stage, as he provided thoughtful and balanced input for the global development of basketball."

He added: "I am sure being from Belgium, it feels extra special to receive this honor at such a memorable tournament because of the amazing and record-breaking support for the women's national team and the epic game that everyone witnessed here in Antwerp."

FIBA