THA - Thailand Basketball back in FIBA family

BANGKOK - A Special Congress was held on Saturday in Bangkok in the presence of FIBA Secretary General and International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member Patrick Baumann and FIBA Asia Secretary General Dato Yeoh Choo Hock.

Ninety seven (97) clubs have decided to create a new National Federation and elected a new Board with Mr Surasak Chinawongwatana as its President.

As a consequence, FIBA has lifted with immediate effect the suspension in order to allow the Thai National Teams to participate in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) that will take place in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia between 11 and 22 November.

The Special Congress had become a necessity following the suspension imposed by FIBA on the Basketball Association of Thailand (BAT) on 13 March and the decision by the Sports Authority of Thailand to withdraw its support to and recognition of the BAT due to violation of the national Sport Act.

A special Working Group was set up by FIBA in cooperation with Thai basketball representatives, the Sports Authority of Thailand, FIBA Asia and the IOC Member in Thailand, Dr Nat Indrapana, in order to prepare the process and the material for the Special Congress. In particular, the working group analyzed all application for membership by clubs, approving 104 out of 206 applications, drafted new Statutes for the Federation and approved the nominations for offices.

The Special Congress was successfully chaired by IOC Member Dr Nat Indrapana.

FIBA