David Reid has been elected as the new Oceania President for the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) at a meeting of the Zone Assembly in Gold Coast, Australia.
Reid thus became the first elected member of the FIBA Central Board for the 2023-2027 term.
This appointment will take effect after the conclusion of the FIBA Congress 2023.
The Zone Assembly also elected five new Board members – John Carey of Australia, Megan Compain of New Zealand, Jubilee Kuartei of Palau, Frank Cruz of Guam and Ioane Naivalurua of Fiji.
Reid said that the Zone Assembly appointments will further assist with driving growth in the region over the next four years.
“It is a privilege to be appointed President of FIBA in Oceania and I look forward to working with the Board and our National Federations over the coming years as we continue to develop basketball across the region,” he said.
“We have unique challenges and opportunities within the region and l believe we are well-positioned to increase basketball participation on and off the court in Oceania over the next four years and beyond.”
The Zone Assembly was attended by FIBA President Hamane Niang, FIBA first vice-president Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani, FIBA treasurer Ingo Weiss and FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis.
“The FIBA Oceania Zone Assembly today has been a wonderful collaboration of National Federations, as they came together to plan for the future of basketball development in their respective countries guided by the strategic objectives of the global FIBA strategy,” Zagklis said.
“Incorporating the FIBA Plus Fundamentals Workshop, following the Assembly, which is also a great opportunity for National Federations to capitalise on the resources available to facilitate the progression of basketball across Oceania.”
The 2019-2023 FIBA Oceania Assembly Report was presented to the Congress and highlighted the key achievements of the three main objectives set in 2019 – doubling the number of participants, raising the profile of basketball, and improving the capabilities of National Federations.
Workshops were also organised to give an opportunity to National Federations members to explore different ways to achieve their goals for the next four years.
“It feels good to be reunited for the first time since 2019, discussing face-to-face and making up for the lost time,” said Amanda Jenkins, the FIBA Oceania executive director.
“It has been a challenging time for everyone but I am glad we could do it again.
“A new chapter begins and we are looking forward to it.”
The Zone Assembly awarded outgoing FIBA Oceania President Burton Shipley and Australia’s Loraine Landon the FIBA Oceania Member of Honour, while New Zealand’s Iain Potter received the Patricia Ramsay Award.
Reflecting on what has been achieved in Oceania during his tenure, Shipley said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the committee and all of our National Federations over the past four years and I love the camaraderie we share.
“The success of major events in our region is a testament to what we are capable of in Oceania.
“I appreciate the work everyone has done across the region as we aim to build, develop and sustain basketball growth across the board.
“I am also deeply honoured and humbled to receive the Member of Honour award.”
SOURCE: INSIDE THE GAMES/PACNEWS
