FIBA

FIBA, short for the international federation that governs basketball, is the global governing body responsible for the sport across nations. It was founded in 1932 in Geneva, Switzerland, and historically used the name Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur. In 1989 the organization dropped the word Amateur from its official French name to reflect the professional nature of modern basketball. Its English designation, International Basketball Federation, is commonly used worldwide.

FIBA oversees the rules of the game, officiating standards, and equipment specifications used in international competition. It also administers international tournaments and coordinates the sport’s development in member countries. The federation operates through five regional zones: FIBA Africa, FIBA Americas, FIBA Asia, FIBA Europe, and FIBA Oceania, each organizing continental events and supporting member federations.

Major activities include the FIBA Basketball World Cup for men and women, as well as the Olympic basketball tournaments, which are organized in cooperation with the International Olympic Committee. The organization also runs regional championships such as EuroBasket, AfroBasket, and the FIBA Asia Cup, along with youth and development events designed to grow the sport globally. Development programs, coaching education, and capacity-building initiatives are part of its mandate.

FIBA is governed by elected officials and a general secretariat, with membership comprised of national basketball federations. It holds observer and participant status with the IOC and maintains a world ranking system for national teams. The federation works to promote basketball’s growth, accessibility, and sport integrity worldwide.