In the historic meeting, 198 of the world governing body's 214 national federations made their way to the Çırağan Palace Kempinski in Turkey's largest city to vote on the statutes that will bring changes to the governance structure of FIBA and strengthen the organisation in view of future challenges and strategic growth opportunities.

"This is a memorable day in FIBA's history," said FIBA President Yvan Mainini.

"This unanimous vote strengthens FIBA's unity and position in the world of sport.

"It commits all national member federations to embrace FIBA's ambitious growth projects like the 3x3 and the new 2017 FIBA competition system."

The amendments voted for by the Congress included:

- Adjusting the next cycle of term of office to FIBA's new competition calendar, thus having exceptionally a five-year cycle (2014-2019) until the next Ordinary Congress and FIBA Basketball World Cup to be held in 2019.

- Increasing its Central Board membership from 23 to 29 members and including more stakeholders in the top decision-making body and, in particular, by providing a specific position each for the NBA and the athletes.

- Establishing an Executive Committee to increase the flexibility and efficiency in the decision-making process.

- Supporting and implementing the principle of thinking globally, but acting regionally by providing full and direct administrative services to the member federations in each continent through regional offices owned by FIBA, redefining the roles and responsibilities of the actual zones.

- Ensuring that the Congress has a central role in shaping future policies by directly electing an important number of Central Board members and by meeting every two years as of 2017.

The 198 national members in attendance at Istanbul's Çırağan Palace Kempinski voted unanimously for the new General Statutes ©FIBA



Following the vote, FIBA secretary general and International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Patrick Baumann said: "The new FIBA governance is a tool toward FIBA's vision of making basketball the most popular sports community and bringing more and new countries to the forefront.

"It is also an important step toward a more united, efficient and modern structure that wants to include all basketball stakeholders.

"These new statutes provide FIBA with a solid foundation and a strong structure for the future."

The election process for the next Ordinary Congress to be held at the end of August this year in Spain will be running under the provisions of the new general statutes.

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