ADDIS ABABA - A month on since his election as President of the Ethiopian Basketball Federation, Ashebir Woldegiorgis Gayo is rolling up his sleeves to relaunch the game in the country.

One of his main priorities, he says, will be relaunching the national teams.

It's been over 50 years since Ethiopia's men's national team last participated in a FIBA AfroBasket tournament.

And although the women's national side took part in the qualifiers for FIBA AfroBasket Women 2011, the East Africans fell short.

With the popularity of the game growing steadily in recent years in the country, Woldegiorgis Gayo, who has served as President of Ethiopian Football Federation, insists it’s about time to put Ethiopian basketball on the international map.

"I am so passionate about basketball and sport, and of course, it is painful for us we don't have [a] national team," Woldegiorgis Gayo told FIBA.com. "That was why I included it as one very important item in our first Executive Committee meeting. And the outcome was positive.

"Hopefully, Ethiopian basketball will be back on track. I am here to support our game to share my little knowledge and experience."

Woldegiorgis Gayo is set to serve a four-year term.

FIBA