ZAGKLIS NAMED NEW FIBA SUPREMO

Andreas Zagklis has been appointed as the new FIBA Secretary General.

Currently the organisation’s General Counsel, Andreas Zagklis was hired by basketball’s world governing body in 2016 after having acted for nine years as its external legal advisor.

A Greek national, Zagklis, 38, has been active in basketball for more than 20 years and succeeds Patrick Baumann who died suddenly in Buenos Aires in October.

“The mission is clear, to grow our sport throughout the world and unite the basketball community,” Zagklis said. “I will serve it mindful of FIBA’s values and rich history. FIBA will continue to work hand in hand with its national member federations on male and female programs in its two Olympic disciplines as well as support wheelchair basketball.

“In today’s competitive environment, we shall be modern administrators, prudent regulators and excellent event organisers in order to meet the high expectations of the basketball family, most notably our players, clubs, leagues, fans and partners.”

Andreas Zagklis received his under and post-graduate degrees from the Law School of the University of Athens while he spent two semesters as visiting student at the Universities of Salamanca (Spain) and Western Ontario (Canada) respectively. He also completed the postgraduate program on Olympic Studies at the International Olympic Academy. Most recently, he attended the Leadership in Corporate Counsel program at the Harvard Law School (USA).

FIBA President Horacio Muratore said: “I’m very pleased that we have chosen our fourth Secretary General from among our own management team. A true basketball person, Andreas knows very well our organization and he is the right person to lead FIBA following the strategy adopted by the FIBA Congress.

“We are all convinced that he will put all efforts in making basketball the most popular sports community in the world, FIBA’s vision.”

Photo: FIBA