FIBA

From Hoopedia

FIBA logos over the years.

The International Basketball Federation (French: Fédération Internationale de Basketball), more commonly known by the French acronym FIBA, is an association of national organizations which governs international competition in basketball. Originally known as the Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur (hence, FIBA), in 1989 it dropped the Amateur from its official name but retained the initialism.

The FIBA defines the international rules of basketball, specifies the equipment and facilities required, regulates the transfer of athletes across countries, and controls the appointment of international referees. 213 national federations are now members, organized since 1989 into five zones or "commissions": FIBA Africa, FIBA Americas, FIBA Asia, FIBA Europe, and FIBA Oceania.

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History

FIBA divides the world into 5 commissions, each roughly based on a continent; North and South America are under one commission.

The association was founded in Geneva in 1932, two years after the sport was officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Its original name was Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur. Eight nations were founding members: Argentina, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, and Switzerland. During the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin, the Federation named James Naismith (1861-1939), the founder of basketball, as its Honorary President.

FIBA has organized a World Championship for Men since 1950 and a World Championship for Women since 1953. Both events are now held every four years, alternating with the Summer Olympics.

In 1989, FIBA opened the door to Olympic participation by professionals such as players from the NBA in the United States. At this point, the Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur became the Fédération Internationale de Basketball, but retained FIBA as an abbreviation.

The Federation headquarters moved to Munich in 1956, then returned to Geneva in 2002. Patrick Baumann is the Secretary General of FIBA.

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