SLO - Slovenian Federation celebrates 20th anniversary

Ljubljana - The Basketball Federation of Slovenia on Tuesday celebrated its 20th anniversary.

To honour the occasion, Slovenian Basketball Federation President Roman Volčič and FIBA President Yvan Mainini headed a delegation that met with the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Danilo Türk - a fervant basketball enthusiast - at the presidential palace.

Following a press conference at the Hall of Cassiopeia, the celebrations then moved to Ljubljana Castle for a gala dinner which was attended by, among others, legendary player and former Slovenian National Federation Secretary General Boris Kristančič. Also in attendance were members of the country's first national men's (from 1992) and women's teams (from 1993).

Mr Volčič paid tribute to the men who, in the early 1990s, led the way as Slovenia set up its own basketball federation and kickstart the basketball movement in the country.

"On this day 20 years ago, the Basketball Federation of Slovenia joined FIBA. This membership helped to start basketball along the way in the country," he said.

"The people that are the most deserving for this are (former) President Marko Sok and (former Secretary Generals) Tilka Gajšek, Boris Kristančič and Frančišek Bolka."

Mr Volčič also thanked Dusan Šešok for having served as President in 'times of crisis' as well as legendary player and FIBA Hall of Fame inductee Ivo Daneu.

"Over the last 20 years, despite the fact that we are a small country in terms of population and size, we have certainly become big in the world of basketball," he added.

Slovenian national basketball teams have won five medals at European Youth Championships and, in 2009, the men's senior side finished fourth at the EuroBasket in Poland.

Slovenia will host the next EuroBasket in 2013.

Mr Mainini wished the Slovenian Basketball Federation the very best for the future and said there is a lot to look forward to.

"It's always a pleasure to be with good friends for a birthday," he said. "This birthday is very important. Twenty years is only just the beginning of something.

"It's fantastic to be here and to say good luck for the future, especially good luck for next year with the European Championship. I am sure it will be a great success here in Slovenia."

Mr Mainini also indicated that Slovenia have a winning formula in ensuring the growth of basketball.

"We visited with the president of the Republic of Slovenia. He is really a man of sports, especially a fan of basketball. It's very important, not only for Slovenia but all over the world, if the highest person in the country has a good feeling for sports," he explained.

"I hope that we will be here to celebrate a quarter of a century of the federation, half a century."

FIBA