Havana, August 24 (JIT) - Cuban Ruperto Herrera is part of the ethics panel of the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) elected on Wednesday during the 22nd congress of that entity, held in Manila.

Herrera, a member of the Fiba Hall of Fame, was taken into account for his merits as an athlete, among which stands out the bronze medal in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. He also weighs his long trajectory of responsibilities in the Cuban Olympic Committee, the national basketball federation and other international institutions, such as Centro Caribe Sports.

The delegates to the congress elected the new president of Fiba, Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani Sheikh of Qatar. The appointment was unanimous, thanks to the vote of all the eligible members present at the meeting. 

The Qatari replaces Mali's Hamane Niang, who served since 2019. He will chair the Fiba Central Council until 2027.

The conclave, moreover, outlined a series of objectives to be followed in the future policy of international basketball. Among these are to develop women's basketball, encourage more women to occupy senior positions in governing bodies, improve the 3x3 format and promote the lower categories. 

"It is a great honor to take on this responsibility for me, for my country Qatar and for our Asian continent, although I now represent the interests of the 212 national federations in the five regions. Basketball is a global sport and this is our most important strength," Al Tani said after his election.

"Today I can only make one promise and that is that I will work hard with Fiba's leaders and the entire Central Committee for the good of basketball and for the good of Fiba," he said.