SEVILLA - The 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup gets underway on Saturday 30 August, but before the games tip off, the stakeholders of world basketball will be meeting in Sevilla over the next three days, with in-depth discussions to take place and important decisions to be made.

This afternoon (Wednesday 27 August), FIBA's Central Board will meet for the last time for the term of office 2010-2014. Among the major topics of conversation on the agenda, will be the implementation of the new governance under the system of regional offices run by FIBA.

The Central Board will review official requests made by National Federations, including among other things a revision of the official basketball rules on the matter of uniforms.

On Thursday 28 and Friday 29 August, FIBA's World Congress will congregate to reflect on the 2010-2014 term. This period was defined by four main pillars being  successfully achieved: bringing changes to the governance structure; the completion of the House of Basketball, which became a reality in the spring of 2013; the continued dedication to grow and develop 3x3 basketball which has been on-going since the 2010 Youth Olympic Games through the FIBA 3x3 World Tour and the 3x3 FIBA World Championships; the implementation of a new calendar and system of competition which will come into effect in 2017.

The World Congress will also take time to thank outgoing FIBA President Yvan Mainini and FIBA Treasurer Manfred Ströher who will step down after more than 40 years.

A total of 136 national federations are expected to take part in this World Congress and they will be called upon to implement the decisions that were taken in Turkey during the Extraordinary World Congress to reflect those in the new statutes.

Last but not least, there will be the matter of electing the new Central Board for the term of office 2014-2019. In turn, this new Central Board will appoint the Executive Committee - whose task it is to increase the flexibility and efficiency in the decision-making process - as well as the NBA and athlete representative (the latter who will chair the newly-established Athlete Commission).

FIBA