Australian Elphinston elected FIBA president
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-08-30 08:49
SAITAMA, Japan, Aug 29 - Australian Bob Elphinston was elected president of
the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) on Tuesday.
Elphinston, 64, manager of the Australian men's team at the 1984 Olympics and
general manager of the Sydney Olympics 2000 Bid Company, replaces outgoing
president Carl Men Ky Ching of China.
"Basketball is at an exciting level as the second most played team sport in
the world today behind football," said Elphinston, who will serve a four-year
term until 2010. "My role as president gives me the chance to directly assist a
great sport grow even more.
"FIBA looks forward to an exciting Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008,
increased commercial opportunities and player development with the emphasis of
furthering developing strong leagues in all 212 member federations."
The world governing body also announced on Tuesday it had added a 213th
member federation, welcoming Montenegro into the FIBA family.
Montenegro, which recently voted for independence, participated in this
year's world championship in Japan as defending champions Serbia &
Montenegro.
"I feel great about this decision by FIBA, it is wonderful for Montenegrin
basketball," president of the Basketball Federation of Montenegro Danilo
Mitrovic said.
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