The XXII International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Congress unanimously elected Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al-Thani as FIBA’s new president for the upcoming 2023-2027 cycle, succeeding Mali’s Hamane Niang.
The election was held on the sidelines of the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup co-hosted by the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia from 25 August to 10 September.
Al-Thani said it is a great honour to take over the responsibility, for himself, for Qatar and for Asia. Basketball, according to him, is a global sport and ‘our most important strength’.
Al-Thani promised to work hard with FIBA leaders and with its entire Central Board to promote basketball.
The sheikh has previously been FIBA Vice President in 2019 and also president of FIBA Asia since 2002, having formerly been president of the Qatar Basketball Federation and Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC).
Qatar is set to host the next edition of the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2027 – the first country to host the event in the Middle East and North Africa.
Text and image from FIBA, Qatar News Agency
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