04/03/2015
FIBA Family
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Ryzhenkov inspired by FIBA House of Basketball visit

MIES - New Belarusian Basketball Federation President Maxim Ryzhenkov has taken inspiration from a visit he paid to FIBA's House of Basketball on Tuesday.

Having taken over from his predecessor, Viktor Kamenkov, last September, the new head of the federation is hoping his trip to Mies can help him continue grow the sport in his homeland - something which is a big challenge when it comes to the men's game in particular.

"The spirit of basketball you feel is very exciting for someone like me, who is responsible for the development of basketball in Belarus," he said of the sense he got standing in the Naismith Arena, the exhibition space on the ground floor of FIBA's headquarters.

"It is fantastic to see the history and achievements of the sport and it's also a great opportunity to make sure we now develop basketball with the right philosophy.

"Since my election, it has been a difficult time for us because in previous years basketball was neglected in our country.

Basketball exists in Belarus at a high level for women and in the future we want the men's game to develop in the same way. - Ryzhenkov

"Our men's team is not participating at EuroBasket [2015] and it's not an easy situation because of the economic situation not only in our country, but also in the region.

"Now women's basketball is the priority, because it gives us the platform we need to increase basketball participation and to get the attention required from political authorities and the people," Ryzhenkov pointed out.

"We are working with the schools in our country and focusing on preparing special programmes for coaches and we're giving balls to many schools.

"We also have a very good relationship with FIBA and they prepared a very good report [after a recent visit] and we are considering the recommendations on how to improve basketball in Belarus and especially the structure of our federation."

While the men's game is a work in progress, there are many reasons for the federation's president to be hopeful for the future and not only because of the continued high profile of the women's national team.

"We are very happy to have the support of FIBA and to be hosting the 3x3 U18 European Championship in Minsk," he explained.

"It is going to be a really fantastic show, because now we have ideas on how to develop this event into a wider festival in Belarus with many sub-cultures involved - not only basketball.

"It will be a first for Belarus and for Minsk."

As well as being inspired by his visit to the House of Basketball, Ryzhenkov also draws upon the example set by his father, who blazed a trail for the sport in his country.

"My father was quite successful and while he played at university level [when Belarus was a part of the former Soviet Union], many of the best players at that time were his close friends.

"He spent all of his life supporting basketball in our country and he was the first President of the Olympic Committee in Belarus back in 1992.

"Unfortunately he passed away 20 years ago and now we hold a special annual tournament dedicated to him and that is why for me, this role [of president of the Belarusian Basketball Federation] is more than about undertaking my duties."

FIBA