BEIJING (FIBA) - The FIBA Central Board, the highest executive body of the International Basketball Federation, met yesterday, Friday 25th April, and today, Saturday 26th April, for its 4th Session of the 2006-2010 Term of Office in Beijing, China. The meeting has been organized in cooperation with the Chinese Basketball Association.

In addition to the historic rule changes announced earlier today (please refer to FIBA Press Release #25/2008 or to www.fiba.com/pages/eng/fc/news/lateNews/p/newsid/24352/arti.html), below are some of the issues discussed and some of the decisions taken by the FIBA Central Board.


1. FIBA 2009 U19 World Championship for Men to take place in New Zealand

The Central Board has decided that the FIBA 2009 U19 World Championship for Men will take place in the city of Auckland (New Zealand), from 2nd to 12th July 2009.


2. FIBA 2009 U19 World Championship for Women to take place in Thailand

The Central Board has awarded the organization of the FIBA 2009 U19 World Championship for Women to the city of Bangkok (Thailand), from 23rd July to 2nd August 2009.


3. 1st FIBA World Club Championship in 2009

The Central Board approved the creation of the FIBA World Club Championship in 2009, a new competition that will feature eight of the very best clubs in the world, subject to finding an appropriate host city.

The participating clubs will be the organiser, one representative from Africa, two from the Americas, one from Asia, two from Europe and one from Oceania. The Zone club champions and/or runners-up in each of the continental championships will be invited to participate.

The 1st FIBA World Club Championship will be played over a five-day period in the third week of October 2009 and bidding for host cities will be issued in June 2008.


4. Creation of a FIBA Foundation

FIBA Secretary General and IOC member Patrick Baumann reported on the various progresses as with regards to the establishment of FIBA's own and permanent headquarters in Switzerland. The Central Board approved the setting up of a FIBA Foundation to support this project and to develop cultural, social and educational activities.


5. Request of the Kosova Basketball Federation to become a FIBA member rejected

On 11th April, the Kosova Basketball Federation sent an official request asking to become a new member federation of the International Basketball Federation.

The FIBA Central Board has decided that the application from the Kosaova Basketball Federation cannot be approved because the Board considers that Kosovo has not fulfilled all required conditions.


6. FIBA 2010 World Championship to be played from 28th August to 12th September in Turkey

The Central Board has decided that the FIBA 2010 World Championship, to take place in Turkey, will follow the same system of competition as the 2006 World Championship in Japan. It will be played from 28th August to 12th September 2010, one week later than initially planned, in order to avoid overlapping with the dates of the Youth Olympic Games.


7. National Federation issues

The FIBA Central Board received reports on the ongoing conflicts in Japan, Mexico and the Philippines.

In the first-mentioned case, the Central Board has expressed its hope that, in view of the participation of the Japanese National Team in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women in Madrid (Spain), the situation can be resolved urgently. The Secretary General of FIBA, Patrick Baumann, will visit Japan in two days for this purpose.

As with regards to Mexico, the Central Board has decided, upon FIBA Americas' proposal, to de-recognize the leadership of the Mexican Basketball Federation.

Last but not least, the FIBA Central Board has re-affirmed its support to the BAP-Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas Inc and its leadership.


8. Next FIBA Central Board meeting from 5th to 7th December 2008

The next meeting of the FIBA Central Board is expected to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 5th to 7th December 2008.