Mali's Sports Minister set to become FIBA President

Mali's Sports Minister set to become FIBA President

By Sampson Adedeji

Mali's Sports Minister Hamane Niang is set to become the new President of Federation of International Basketball Association ( FIBA) after the Association announced that is the only one standing for the position.

Niang, the former FIBA Africa President and a member of the Executive Committee, will assume the position unopposed at the governing body's Congress in Beijing on August 29 and 30 on the eve of the World Cup in China.

The Malian official will replace Argentina's Horacio Muratore, FIBA President since 2014.

FIBA operates a continental rotation system for its Presidency and it is the turn of Africa to hold the top office at the organisation.

He is able to serve a single four-year term before the Presidency rotates to Asia in 2023.

Niang will be the second African to lead FIBA after Senegalese Abdoulaye Seye Moreau(1998-2002).