Bangalore: The State of Qatar, represented by the Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF), has actively participated in the midterm general assembly for the 2023-2027 term of the FIBA Asia Regional Office, held in Bangalore, India. The Qatari delegation was led by Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari, Secretary General of the QBF and Director of National Teams.
According to Qatar News Agency, the assembly was attended by notable figures including HE President of FIBA Sheikh Saud bin Ali Al-Thani and Secretary General of FIBA Andreas Zagkilis. An initiative was announced during the assembly to establish a working group with directors from various departments within the Asia Regional Office, aimed at coordinating efforts and assisting specific sub-regions in overcoming challenges.
The General Assembly also focused on discussing the audited report and financial statements of the Asian Basketball Federation for 2023 and 2024. This was followed by separate sessions covering three key topics: cooperation with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the emphasis on 3×3 basketball competitions within FIBA, and the development of national federations and sports.
FIBA Asia Secretary General Hagop Khajirian, in his report to the Assembly, stressed the importance of developing and strengthening various leagues in Asia over the past two years. This aligns with FIBA’s strategic priority of establishing international club competitions. He highlighted the responsibility of the FIBA Asia Regional Office in implementing systemic changes to strengthen existing national leagues and create a merit-based competitive system for Asian clubs to qualify for the FIBA Continental Cup.
Khajirian also presented a report detailing the activities and programs carried out by the different departments within the Asian Regional Office, showcasing achievements over the past two years and encouraging national federations to elevate their standards.
Saadoun Sabah Al Kuwari, Secretary General of the Qatar Basketball Federation, emphasized that this participation reflects the Qatari Federation’s eagerness to leverage international expertise and strengthen its relationships with national and Asian federations. He noted the Qatari Federation’s continuous efforts to contribute to elevating the level of basketball in the region.