The decision, taken during the FIBA's Executive Committee meeting in Geneva, sees the governing body become the latest to formally approve Kosovo's membership after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) granted full recognition to the Kosovo Olympic Committee at its Session in Monte Carlo in December.

FIBA Europe will now work towards incorporating the national teams of the Kosovo Basketball Federation (KBF) into its competitions beginning this summer, with the EuroBasket Women taking place in Hungary and Romania from June 11 to 28, and the men's equivalent tournament being held in France, Croatia, Germany and Latvia from September 5 to 20.

A statement on the KBF's website thanked Patrick Baumann, secretary general of the FIBA, and Turgay Demirel, President of FIBA Europe, for their contribution regarding the decision. 

"Herewith, KBF undertakes and commits itself to be an exemplary federation, to ensure full compliance with FIBA rules and regulations, and to put all of its potentials at FIBA's disposal, with the purpose of contributing to further strengthening of FIBA and the global basketball family," read the statement. 

"We are well aware that the affiliation with FIBA represents the most significant event in the seven decade-long history of basketball in Kosovo.

"This act marks the crowning of the efforts which lasted for decades, but also the beginning of a new era, the era in which Kosovo basketball strengthens and develops further with the help of the global basketball community."

Erolld Belegu (left), President of the Kosovo Basketball Federation, Patrick Baumann (centre), FIBA secretary general, and Turgay Demirel, (right), FIBA Europe President, mark the recognition of Kosovo ©FIBA



Moments after the decision was made public, Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga tweeted: ''Alley-oop for Kosovo".

Meanwhile, Erolld Belegu, President of the KBF, also took to social media to offer his congratulations.

The KBF applied to the FIBA for recognition on February 5, despite opposition from Serbia, the nation from which they declared independence more than seven years ago.

Serbia, runners-up at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain, refuses to accept Kosovo's independence and was therefore against the country becoming a FIBA member.

Kosovo has, however, been recognised by 108 of the 193 United Nations member states and 23 of the 28 European Union member states.

The KBF had been denied entry into the FIBA up until now, with the latest rejection coming at the governing body's annual Central Board meeting in Beijing in April 2008.

A total of 16 Olympic Summer and Winter Sports Federations have now recognised Kosovo, including the International Judo Federation which officially recognised Kosovo first in 2012.

FIFA, meanwhile, allows the country to play friendlies but not compete in tournaments.

But athletics, shooting, tennis and volleyball have yet to grant Kosovo any kind of recognition.

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