BAMAKO - FIBA President Horacio Muratore on Thursday night paid a warm tribute to former FIBA Central Board member Salamatou Maiga, who passed away in December 2014.

In his speech during the welcome dinner of the second FIBA Africa mid-term congress, Muratore expressed deep sorrow.

"One of my best friends passed away two years ago and I did not have the opportunity to pay a tribute to her. But today I can say that all is in order," he said.

Maiga, who had served as the Secretary General of Mali's Basketball Federation, was elected to FIBA's Central Board in 1998 and Muratore recalled how kind and hard working she was.

"I can assure you that I have lost a friend, a smiling and open-minded woman who served the game all her life," he revealed.

Earlier in the day, Muratore and the representives of the national member federations visited Maiga's grave.

FIBA