Togo Basketball Federation determined to bring lasting changes in development of the game

LOME - Togo basketball is set to witness changes for the better or so it seems going by the developmental agenda of the new board of the Togolese Basketball Federation (FTBB) headed by Andre Goungou.

Barely three months in office at the helm of the federation, Goungou and his board are focused on taking basketball in the country to a new height with a desire to leaving an imprint in the sands of time when they leave office.

Incidentally, Goungou is not new in the field of basketball having played the game from 1988 with the Lycee team of Sotouboua and Ecole des Sciences (Lomé University).

Though he didn't get to play for his national team, he was focused on taking the game to the next level. To express his passion for the game, he promoted the Fighters Basketball Club of Lomé, Togo, from 1999-2012.

Having served as second vice president of FTBB from 2007-2011 and first vice president of the board from 2011-2016 and now president, Goungou understands the dynamics of leading his relatively new board to get results.

Within his short spell in office as president, the FTBB has made it a duty to have its teams participate in all FIBA Africa competitions at the national team levels.

The goal of the FTBB here is to help groom players that would at the end of the day improve the FIBA ranking of the country.

Goungou said: "The FTBB board is not just about attending competitions but we also believe that exposing our players regularly at competitions would help improve their game as well as their mentality.

"Referee, coaches, statisticians and other officials of the game are not left out of our plan as we hope to use our relationship with FIBA to get things done.

"We also want to bring our basketball close to the levels of that of Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire to mention a few in our region. That way, we will be creating the right atmosphere to improve on our existing basketball gym and open up a wide channel of communication for Togo basketball."

Some of the focal points that come readily to the leadership of the FTBB are greater involvement in competitions, the organisation of clinics and promotion of youth and women basketball.

To achieve the highlighted areas, Goungou says that the FTBB cannot get their set goals without cooperating with the Government, major sponsors as funding will be key to getting their best hands spread across Europe and America.

"We intend to get across to players of Togo abroad to come home and play for the country as a matter of pride and we'll also have to go into negotiations with international coaches and agents as well as embark on detection trips in Europe and the US to discuss with our players," he said.

Having participated in the FIBA Africa organised ''Tournoi International Basketball 3x3 Trophée Salamatou Maiga'' in Cotonou, Benin Republic, hosting the FIBA Africa Zone 3 Champions Clubs Qualifier for men and women and the participation of Togolese side at the ongoing final round of the FIBA Africa Champions Cup for Women in Mozambique, the FTBB is convinced that there is still more to achieve in the months ahead.

Goungou and FIBA Africa Zone 3 Board members during a workshop on FIBA's New Competition System in Lomé, Togo

However, the FTBB president and his board know there is no shortcut to success and that it is all down to hard work.

"Success never has magic; just keep on working and you will get solutions," he explained. "With the support of FIBA Africa Zone 3, the AMK Foundation and sponsors, things were easy for our organising team given their experience hence the success story of our hosting the FIBA Africa Champions Cup Qualifiers Zone 3 for men and women last October.

On the matter of youth development, Goungou says the FTBB is planning to bring youth (U14, U16, U18) basketball camps, competitions, inside and outside Togo. Training of young coaches is also planned and 3X3 youth friendly games in Togo.

With regards to financing, the FTBB says sponsorship drive is handled by a team and an agency charged with ensuring that funding does not slow them down while also working out modalities of assistance with the Togo Sports Ministry.

"I call on all lovers of the game who want us to grow to come with their ideas or support the growth of basketball in the country," Goungou said. "We're aware that it's not an easy road to pass through but we hope and pray that our hard work as a team is rewarded."

FIBA