Manama: A series of specialised workshops launched on Saturday as part of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Congress, hosted this week by the Kingdom of Bahrain. The sessions brought together elite experts and decision-makers in basketball development to discuss the challenges and future opportunities facing the sport on a global scale.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Sebasti¡n Miazza, FIBA Projects Director and Congress Manager in Manama, emphasised that in-person meetings remain a cornerstone for fostering understanding and knowledge exchange among the international basketball community, despite rapid digital transformation and technological advancements. "That's why these workshops, held alongside FIBA's Mid-Term Congress and hosted by Bahrain through the Bahrain Basketball Federation, offer over 500 participants from around the world a unique opportunity to address key issues shaping the future of the game and FIBA's strategy," Miazza stated.
He highlighted that the workshops focus on several strategic FIBA programmes, including empowering national federations and advancing women's basketball, notably through initiatives like FIBA Plus, with contributions from international experts and federation representatives. "Breakout sessions will also explore youth talent development in collaboration with the NCAA, the rising success of 3x3 basketball especially after the expansion of teams for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and best practices under the Olympic Solidarity Program, which supports national Olympic committees in athlete development," he added.
Miazza commended Bahrain's efforts in ensuring the event's success, noting that the gathering reflects the spirit of collaboration within global basketball. Dr. Abdulrahman Askar, CEO of Bahrain's General Sports Authority, underscored the significance of the Kingdom hosting this global event, the first in the Gulf and Middle East, noting that the congress will contribute to local basketball development through its accompanying workshops, aligning with Bahrain's strategy to strengthen its position on the world sports stage.
The sessions featured three simultaneous workshops on women's empowerment in basketball, expanding FIBA Plus, and the NCAA's role in nurturing young talent, alongside discussions on the future of 3x3 basketball and the growing impact of Olympic Solidarity in global development programmes. A dedicated session also addressed women's basketball from the perspective of international policies and implementation challenges.
In the evening, three additional workshops revisited these themes from institutional and integrative angles. Mohammed AbdulSamad, Board Member of the Bahrain Basketball Federation, emphasised the workshops' practical value: "These sessions go beyond theory, offering actionable models drawn from global federations' experiences, making them a strategic platform for knowledge-sharing and actionable insights." "Bahrain's hosting of these FIBA Congress workshops marks a qualitative leap in the Kingdom's presence on international sports decision-making and paves the way for broader regional development collaboration," he added.