Basketball federation shoots for FIBA funding at Mid-Term Congress in Hong Kong

May 07, 2017 Sports

President of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF), Nigel Hinds participated in the National Federation Development Workshop at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Mid-Term Congress in Hong where he highlighted the need for direct funding from FIBA to the National Federations.

GABF President, Nigel Hinds (right) and General Secretary, Patrick Haynes (left) pose for a photo opportunity with Chinese International Basketball Superstar, Yao Ming, who played for the Houston Rockets, in Hong Kong, China.

Hinds made the plea against the background of an established norm from all the International Federations and some of the smaller International Federations of other major sports. This is according to a press release from the local federation.
The GABF President in responding to questions from the Chair of the Workshop informed the grouping that for the hosting of the Caribbean Basketball Confederation Under-16 Male and Female Championships in Guyana during July 2016, the Government of Guyana donated US$200,000 to the GABF, while the private sector donated US$50,000, along with additional support from other organisations.
Hinds made a clear call for direct funding to National Federations from FIBA, especially for lesser developed countries, where basic basketball facilities are not up to international standards and where core funding is absolutely needed from FIBA for the development of National Championships, Coaching and Refereeing.
According to Hinds, FIBA should consider it obligatory to fund the National Federations and not have the National Federations solely depend on Government and the private sector for funding towards Basketball Development.
GABF General Secretary and FIBA Governance Commissioner, Patrick Haynes, presented the workshop summary and noted that the general consensus of the Workshop was that direct financial grants from FIBA should be provided to the National Federations.
The two-day meeting from May 4-5, brought together delegates from 146 national federations. Hinds and Haynes represented Guyana.
The participants voted unanimously in favor of implementing a new headgear rule. They also received updates and approved the activity report, which reflects the progress made in furthering FIBA’s four pillars – National Federations Development, New Competition System, New Governance and 3×3 – since the previous congress in August 2014.
The delegates took part in workshops covering the following themes: ‘Maximising opportunities of the FIBA Qualifiers’, ‘Building the standard development Pathway’, ‘Basketball & Media in the Digital Age’ and ‘Everybody can be successful with 3×3’.
FIBA President, Mr. Horacio Muratore thanked the Hong Kong Basketball Association for its hospitality for organising the FIBA Mid-Term Congress and noted that FIBA is definitely a lot closer to our National Member Federations and represents a more united basketball family, with FIBA looking forward to the next two years, especially for the launch of the New Competition System, the Road to China 2019, which present great opportunities for our members.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) Vice President, Mr. Yu Zaiqing noted that engaging with the youths is another major cornerstone of Olympic Agenda 2020 and in this respect FIBA is leading the way by promoting an innovative new game format that has great youth appeal, which is exemplified in the unique 3×3 competition format that clearly resonates with young people everywhere.