The International Basketball Federation (French: Fédération Internationale de Basketball), more commonly known by the French acronym FIBA, is an association of national organizations which governs international competition in basketball.
The association was founded in Geneva in 1932, two years after the sport was officially recognized by the IOC. Its original name was Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur. Eight nations were founding members: Argentina, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, and Switzerland. During the 1936 Summer Olympics held in Berlin, the Federation named James Naismith (1861-1939), the founder of basketball, as its Honorary President.
FIBA has organized a FIBA World Championship for men since 1950 and a World Championship for Women since 1953. Both events are now held every four years, alternating with the Olympics.
In 1989 FIBA opened the door to Olympic participation by professionals such as players from the NBA in the United States. At this point, the Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur became the Fédération Internationale de Basketball, but retained FIBA as an abbreviation.
The Federation headquarters moved to Munich in 1956, then returned to Geneva in 2002.
Patrick Baumann is the Secretary General of FIBA.
The United States leads the event with 11 world championships followed by the Soviet Union with 8 titles.
Subject: FIBA History 
Sat Aug 28, 2010 6:39 am
