MADRID, 28 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The president of the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB), Jorge Garbajosa, has highlighted the “courage and ambition” of his organization when it comes to consolidating and launching various projects, and has assured that despite not having achieved great results of selections in recent times “the medals are still” within “reach”.
“We are brave, all of us, the FEB team, this assembly and all the government and management bodies. We have been brave and ambitious, and best of all, it has turned out well for us. Because when misfortunes rained down and everything It seemed impossible, we could have wrinkled ourselves, assume fatality with resignation and go into shock, but we did not do that, all together we have gritted our teeth and we have pulled this off and with flying colors”, he declared during the Ordinary General Assembly of the FEB held this Saturday in Madrid.
In addition, he thanked the “determination and courage” of the members of the FEB and the Autonomous Federations to carry out all the projects, which revolve around four main pillars: the growth of women’s basketball, 3×3 and competitions, the development of special events and federal digitization. “Saying that basketball is in good health seems like an understatement to me, we are strong and willing to face the future with the conviction that we will continue to grow,” she said.
Regarding the competitions, Garbajosa stressed that the LEB Oro has been favored “by the stability” achieved with the promotions and descents and the arrival “of great and historic clubs”, together with “the impressive appearance of a holder of the ring of the NBA and world champion like Marc Gasol”. “All the competitions have benefited from the increased visibility that we have achieved through agreements with TV operators and retransmissions through platforms such as Canal FEB, Twitter or Twitch”, he indicated.
He also pointed out the “success” of the “modernization of the structure of the female competition pyramid”. “This is the first season in which the men’s competition has been matched with three competitions within the FEB: LF Endesa, LF Chalenge and LF 2. In total, 60 teams, 51 cities in 15 autonomous communities, more than 700 players and more than 900 games. And together with this new league, we have experienced great growth in our top women’s competition, LF Endesa, which in my opinion is at the best moment in its history. A situation in which it has been essential the arrival of a sponsor for this competition”, he recalled.
The head of the FEB, who insisted on the “fulminating takeoff” of the 3×3 thanks to the Herbalife 3×3 Series Circuit and “the great success of the women’s team, current European champion”, assured that they will try to continue achieving “international events, improve competitions, expand promotional activities or develop unique projects such as the basketball gala, the Hall of fame or the organization of the Centenary”.
“I am absolutely convinced that the organization of international events or competitions, together with the constant search for activities, must be an essential part of our roadmap and therefore we will continue working on it,” he added.
In another order of things, he was satisfied with having been able to clean up the economic situation “despite the tremendous difficulties of the last two years.” “Budget balance has been a key factor in overcoming the pandemic, not only without making cuts, but also by increasing investment in activity and allocating an important item to the aid program for Autonomous Federations, clubs and other levels of our organization,” he explained. . “We have not applied any magic formula, we have simply carried out good management based on three principles: seriousness, transparency and ambition,” he continued.
Regarding the results of the senior teams, he acknowledged that it has not been “the best year”, although he recalled the victory of the women’s 3×3 in the European Championship. “Even though we don’t have the medal around our necks, the important thing is to keep our heads up. And I think it’s the spirit of our teams,” she said.
“The results, in any case, in no way determine the future, aside from not participating in the Women’s World Cup; our teams continue to be candidates for the podium in any competition, as evidenced by the fact that both occupy second place in the world ranking by behind the United States. Last summer it couldn’t be, but the medals are still within our reach and the vast majority of our rivals believe so”, he pointed out.
In this sense, he was pleased to be able to count on Miguel Méndez as women’s coach, “the Spanish coach who was considered the best in Europe after winning three consecutive editions of the Euroleague with Ekaterinburg.” “Furthermore, he is a coach who has worked with our lower teams and knows Spanish basketball and our internationals perfectly. His debut could not have been better,” she said.
“The contribution of our great captain Laia Palau as Team Manager will be extraordinary. Her quality as a person, her experience, her knowledge of basketball and, above all, the leadership she has exercised in recent years, is the guarantee that she will be a great support for everyone,” he continued.
Finally, Garbajosa congratulated himself on having been able to hold the Spanish Club and Regional Team Championships “in a timely manner”. “The organization of the Championships with the uncertainty of the dates and the threat of the pandemic has been heroic and, of course, a great success judging by the magnificent comments of the vast majority of the participants,” he concluded.
The Assembly was attended by the president of the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE), Alejandro Blanco, while the president of the Higher Sports Council (CSD), José Manuel Franco, intervened through a video.