Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) President, Nigel Hinds, while participating in the National Federation Development Workshop as part of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) congress noted the need for direct funding from FIBA to the National Federations, as is done by all the major International Federations and some of the smaller International Federations.
The President was at the time speaking during the May 4-5 congress held in Hong Kong, responding to questions from the Chair of the National Federations’ Development Workshop.
If the suggestions of Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) President Nigel Hinds are implemented, the sport could be in-line for an influx of funding
He informed the grouping that the hosting of the Caribbean Basketball Federation Under 16 Male and Female Championships in Guyana during July of 2016 saw the Government of Guyana donate US$200,000 to the GABF while the private sector donated US$50,000, along with additional support from other organizations.
Hinds made a clear call for direct funding to National Federations by 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.
The President stated that 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.
Patrick Haynes, GABF General Secretary and FIBA Governance Commissioner when presenting the workshop summary – noted that the general consensus of the National Development Workshop was that direct financial grants should be provided by FIBA to the National Federations.
Meanwhile, the two-day event brought together delegates from 146 national federations who 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: ‘Maximizing 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, Horacio Muratore thanked the Hong Kong Basketball Association for its hospitality for organizing the 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 both of which present great opportunities for our members.”
IOC Vice President, 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 by the unique 3×3 competition format that clearly resonates with young people everywhere.
