FIBA Congress elects Qatar's Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani as new FIBA President and appoints new Central

MANILA (Philippines) - The XXII FIBA Congress has elected a new President and members of the Central Board for the upcoming 2023-2027 cycle in Manila today.

Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani, who succeeds Hamane Niang, in becoming the new President of FIBA, was elected unanimously by all in attendance. Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani has been FIBA Vice President for the previous cycle, which began in 2019, and President of FIBA Asia since 2002, having formerly been President of the Qatar Basketball Federation and a Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee.

Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani said upon his election: "It is a great honor to take over this responsibility: for me, for my country of Qatar, and for our continent of Asia. I now represent the interests of all 212 National Federations across all five Regions.

"Basketball is a global sport and this is our most important strength. I can only make one promise today and that is that I will work hard with the leaders of FIBA and the entire Central Board for the good of basketball and for the good of FIBA."

Mr. Ingo Weiss from Germany was re-elected for his third term as FIBA Treasurer.

The following are the members of the Central Board for the term of 2023 to 2027: Ms. Carol Callan from USA Mr. Yamil Alejandro Bukele Perez of El Salvador Mr. Usie Richards of Virgin Islands Ms. Yuko Mitsuya of Japan Mr. Yao Ming of China Ms. Carmen Tocala of Romania Mr. Matej Erjavec of Slovenia Mr. Asterios Zois of Greece Mr. Tor Christian Bakken of Norway Ms. Jubilee Kuartei of Palau Mr. Burton Ross Shipley of New Zealand Ms. Pascale Mugwaneza of Rwanda Mr. Jean-Michel Ramaroson of Madagascar

These Central Board members, along with the newly elected President and Treasurer, will join FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis as well as the Presidents of FIBA's five Regions for the term of 2023-2027: Mr. Anibal Manave of Africa, Mr. Fabian Borro of the Americas, Dr. K Govindraj of Asia, Mr. Jorge Garbajosa of Europe and Mr. David Reid of Oceania for the new term.

The Central Board will appoint to the Central Board a representative of the National Basketball Association (NBA) of the USA and a representative of the players. In addition, the Central Board may co-opt additional members (with full voting rights) for the vision, skill and special expertise that they will bring.

The newly-formed Central Board will meet for the first time on Saturday, September 9 in Manila, on the occasion of the Finals weekend of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.