istanbul - Day TWO - 4 September 2010

‘the house of an electrifying fiba world fiba33 basketball’ start congress 2010 congress to FIBA heads for Photo action from the setting the stage for plot future of tailor-made home world championship the serious business “sensational” Page 4 Page 6 Page 8 new formet Page 12 Congress breaks records

The 19th FIBA World Congress will break all records for the number of national federations attending. The number of national federations attend- ing the event has doubled compared to the World Congress held four years ago. Out of the 213 FIBA country members, 170 are repre- sented in Istanbul. Interest in basketball continues to grow world-wide with the result that federations are keen to share ideas on how best to manage that growth. The continued growth in the sport has also The perfect note: The 19th FIBA World Congress gets off to a rousing start last night with a memorable performance. Full story and pictures, Page 3. prompted a move to shift the World Congress from a four-year to a two-year cycle. The 19th edition of the important meeting begins today and runs until Monday. Each of FIBA’s 213 country members is entitled to one voting delegate. One additional delegate per country may also attend.

Istanbul – The Congress is the supreme authority of FIBA and holds sovereign powers within its terms of reference. Its main duties are: • to adopt and modify the General Statutes. • to elect the new President of FIBA. • to elect the Treasurer of FIBA, upon pro- crossroads posals by the Secretary General. • to ratify the composition of the Central Board and the nomination of the Vice-President. • to appoint members of the Ethics Commission. • to grant the title of Honorary President or Honorary Member. to the future • to examine and approve all reports, includ- ing the activity report of the Central Board. FIBA President Bob Elphinston, whose successful four-year Baumann (FIBA Secretary General) and I had a shared vision • to ratify the decisions of the Central Board tenure ends in a fitting way this week, expects the FIBA of where we wanted the organisation to go,” he recalled. related to suspension of members. World Championship currently under way in Turkey to be the “We have come an awful long way since the last Con- best ever. gress, culminating in the World Championship and the World Despite a hectic schedule, the team behind “It’s a triumphant conclusion to four action-packed years Congress. We anticipate that the Turkey World Championship the World Congress have allowed for del- and the pace of events shows no signs of letting up,” said will be the best ever, and the Women’s World Championship egates’ love of the game. The event has been Elphinston. in the Czech Republic will be at a higher level. scheduled to enable delegates to take in “So much has happened in what has been an incredible “We have 170 plus countries for the World Congress, a games from the Eighth Final Round of the FIBA period of growth and change. I arrived in the job with my huge increase. World Championship. own agenda but what was more important was that Patrick Continued on page 2 Continued from page 1 Istanbul – crossroads to the future

“the 2014 championship in spain will see a dramatic increase in the commercial value of the event. “these are the things we have been working towards in the last four years.” elphinston pointed to a range of achievements by Fiba in the past four years, including the provision of new tools and support systems to the federations, improved governance and a campaign to raise the profi le of the game. “We wanted to raise the level of public recognition, to make it more attractive commercially and to increase the reach of tV,” he said. “We wanted to increase the number of young people playing the game and to that end we have seen the launch of the under 17 tournament, which has been incredibly successful for boys and girls. We launched the Fiba33 form of the game designed to stimulate the interest of young people wanting to play basketball anywhere in the world.” in line with a strategy to increase participation by women and girls in the game, a special seminar designed to generate new thinking on the subject will be held at the time of the Women’s World Championship in the Czech republic in late september – early October. “We want new interest and new ideas in this area,” said elphinston. “We have the structure of the world game just about right now.” He said that for him one of the landmarks of his term in offi ce was getting the new Fiba headquarters project off the ground. 2010 FIBA WORLD CONGRESS Opening “this was the realisation of an idea that had been in place for many years: our own permanent Fiba headquarters. We ran the architectural competition and the result is something really Turkey takes tournament special and it’s now moving ahead well.” He said that not all of his objectives had been realised. “We have had an initiative to create a world clubs championship to the highest level but so far that has not been realised. We still continue to pursue this and i believe we will achieve it in time,” he said. looking ahead, elphinston said that the game had enjoyed turkey has taken the challenge of lifting the Fiba World the principal speakers were welcomed by tbF presi- powerful growth and the best was still to come. Championship to the next level, said Fiba president dent turgay Demirel. “i hope you will enjoy the basket- “the profi le of basketball has never been so high,” he said. bob elphinston at the offi cial opening of the 19th World ball, enjoy the World Congress and enjoy istanbul.” “What pleases us is that senior members of the iOC and the world Congress last night. the lavish opening ceremony was held at the sports family generally have nothing but praise for the game. “i say ‘thankyou’ for advancing our great sport,” stunning Çıragan palace, now a fi ve-star hotel on the “We still have a lot of work to do, like growth and develop- said elphinston, speaking at a packed gala dinner at the european shore of the bosphorus and originally an ment in asia, which is a third of the world’s population, but we Çiragan palace Hotel. Ottoman palace. are making progress.” the extraordinary setting of the venue was just the the palace has enjoyed a colourful history since it He added: “it’s been a fantastic four years for me personally latest in a string of successes for the tournament and was built in the mid-19th Century. and i am also really excited about the next four years and what it World Congress, said elphinston. built by sultan abdülâziz, it was designed by the will bring to basketball. Our next probable president comes from “We have more than 170 national Federations, which noted armenian palace architect nigogayos balyan one of the best national federations in the world (yvan mainini is an absolute record attendance. i say to our hosts that and constructed between 1863 and 1867. from France) so the job is in excellent hands because the leader- they have done a wonderful job.” the inner walls and the roof were made of wood, ship will be outstanding. last night’s evening was another element in a the outer walls of colourful marble. the palace is con- “We have the structure of the world game just about right “magnifi cent three weeks” organised by the turkish nected by a fi ne marble bridge to the yıldız palace on now, and we will grow through new forms of the game as well as basketball Federation (tbF). the hill behind. better support for existing forms.” “the tbF has provided the greatest party since the a number of Ottoman rulers lived and died in the elphinston will continue his work with Fiba, having been fi rst basketball was bounced back in 1891.” palace, which was used as a parliament building in the elected president of the Oceania zone earlier this year, a post he elphinston singled out the Children of the World early 20th Century. held previously between 2002 and 2006. event as a feature that has added a special dimension Disaster struck in January, 1910, when a great fi re He congratulated the turkish basketball Federation (tbF) for to the World Championship. destroyed the palace, leaving only the outer walls its work in organising the current World Championship and the “We have 13 and 14-year olds from more than 100 intact. Called “seref stadı”, the place served for many World Congress. countries and speaking 77 different languages, living years as a football stadium for the club besiktas J.K. “the construction programme has gone very well. the national together and learning better how to play basketball. it’s in 1989, the ruin was restored and a modern hotel government has been remarkably proactive. the tbF is a very a remarkable project and an experience they will never complex added to it. However, the work was widely strong organisation and we have worked together very well. forget for the rest of their lives.” criticised for its failure to respect turkish culture and “it’s had more promotion and publicity than any previous yunus akgul, General Director for youth and sport architectural history. With its neon pink décor and event and almost 200 countries will get tV coverage with an for the turkish Government, said that Fiba was one of shops, it was dismissed as a shopping mall. expected record viewership of over one billion. that makes it a the most important organisations hosted by turkey. Fortunately, the palace was renovated again in 2007, true world championship. they have an extremely imaginative “i hope that you think that turkey has accomplished restoring the building to its original baroque style and children’s programme accompanying the event. it’s a great job.” a great achievement in hosting this championship.” gently lavish décor.

2 EXTENDING OUR REACH - BASKETBALL THE GLOBAL SPORT EXTENDING OUR REACH - BASKETBALL THE GLOBAL SPORT 3 ‘The House of basketball’ FIBA heads for tailor-made home

It’s been a long road home, but FIBA has the last lap in Rodolphe Luscher, the architect heading the project, decided to move from its Munich base and invited European sight with work on its own permanent world headquarters explained the symbolism of this ‘net’. cities to offer themselves as candidates. scheduled to begin in weeks. The landmark groundbreaking “As you enter the building and walk up the stairs, you Geneva, the city where FIBA was founded in 1932, led a means the end of years in which the organisation has been suddenly realise that you are inside the net. You have fallen field of eight candidate cities and became the new base for headquartered in rented accommodation in four cities – into the hoop without knowing it. This technical feature of the organisation. With the return to Geneva came a renewed Rome, Bern, Munich and Geneva. the ‘net’, which is also a central structural element, was determination to build a permanent headquarters. By the end of 2012 (or possibly early 2013), the purpose- designed with the dream of basketball in mind.” Several opportunities presented themselves but for a built headquarters on the banks of Lake Geneva will be open ‘The House of Basketball’ is located in Mies, in a delight- variety of reasons none could be brought to fruition. Finally, for business. ful lakeside setting and yet is just a 10-minute drive from the site in Mies was identified and the land purchased. And what a building! Geneva Airport as well as being close to excellent road and A key part of the rationale for creating its own headquar- You can judge for yourself in a special exhibition of images rail links. With more than 8,000 square metres of space, the ters is to end the expense of paying large amounts of rent and information being staged during the World Congress. 30 CHF million project will house all present headquarters each year. But the project is more than just sound economic The ‘House of Basketball’ as it will be known makes staff and allow for growth, with space left over for renting to sense. extensive use of glass, giving staff within exceptional views third parties. When FIBA launched a major architectural competi- but also representing a key value in sport – transparency. Key features of the House of Basketball include a large tion aimed at providing the building that would match its Blending into the surrounding landscape and designed space for the FIBA Hall of Fame and a conference centre current and future practical needs, it also called for one that to give the best possible view of Lake Geneva’s surrounding (see panel for more detail). expressed the values and ethos of the game. beauties, the building was inspired by the shape of the hands The long road to realising the dream stretches back to The competition created excitement in the architecture that grasp the basketball in FIBA’s logo, while the metallic 1968 when, at a meeting in Mexico City, the FIBA Central community, with 10 groups submitting bids. It took three structure that supports the building is strongly reminiscent of Board decided in principle to build its own headquarters. But tightly-contested rounds before the panel of experts recom- the net of a basketball hoop. real movement did not come until the late 1990s when FIBA mended the House of Basketball concept.

4 EXTENDING OUR REACH - BASKETBALL THE GLOBAL SPORT As well as expressing the spirit of basketball, the building had to be constructed to the highest levels of sustainability. Mies Council officials commended the winning design for meeting Switzerland’s high standards in terms of ecology. Winning architect Luscher said: “This is a very, very important project for me. It is a dream project, I would say, like all projects that have a particular purpose, whether it’s in the field of culture, art or whatever.” “Light is very “This is a very, very important in all projects, important project be they large or small, for me. It is a dream particularly if you take into account where the project, I would say, building is going to be like all projects situated. And in Switzer- that have a land, of course, light has a very special value. particular purpose, “We want to be able whether it’s in the to draw light into the field of culture, art building, and when I say light, it’s not just daylight or whatever.” that’s important. We also Winning architect Luscher want to be able to take advantage of the light of the night because there will still be people who are in their offices or there may be meetings going on.” Luscher said that all 213 member federations will be represented, with their names engraved in the supporting to eventual destruction.” community, our national federations and zones, and all our structure. Delivering an extensively glazed building with an opti- partners.” “It will be a metaphor in that each federation will be sup- mally adjusted interior climate is one of the key challenges For Bob Elphinston, who concludes his four-year term as FIBA porting the building,” he explained. of the project, he added. A consultant specialising in energy President at the Istanbul World Congress, realising the dream of According to Project Manager Richard Bailiff, sustain- efficiency and sustainability has been hired to advise. the headquarters was one of the highlights of his tenure. ability in all phases of the development is a major feature of FIBA Secretary General and International Olympic “Without a doubt, it’s been one of our real successes,” the project. Committee member (IOC) Patrick Baumann stressed the he said. “We wanted to establish a sustainable development and importance of the eventual move to Mies. “It’s been a really long journey to get this far, there have utilise energy consumption concepts that guarantee a low “‘The House of Basketball’ will be where this great been a lot of false starts, but now we have something that but efficient energy consumption throughout all the phases global sport will live and grow,” he said. “This new home people will really love. It’s a fantastic achievement and a of the building’s life cycle from construction, use, renovation will enable FIBA to best serve the international basketball fantastic building.”

in a large open space devoid of load- “You always see the horizontal Tour the House bearing walls. partition of the floor tiles and the force All offices are located on the first of the net-like structure,” he said. of Basketball floor where functionality is the keynote. “The jury (at the architectural In a little over two years time, The Convention Centre is located competition to choose the winning members of the national federations on the second floor with the indoor design) liked this, seeing it as a will be able to visit the House of Bas- area continuing into outdoor terrac- reflection of FIBA’s image giving it a ketball on the shores of Lake Geneva. ing overlooking the gardens and Lake modern representation and express- Here is a taste of what you will find. Geneva. To be equipped with the ing permeability, transparency and From the access to the building latest multi-media conference equip- luminosity.” from the car park with space for ment, the centre has meeting rooms He added: “The structure is 50 vehicles, the visitor will follow a and all are located conveniently close audacious and original, offering the landscape line to the large courtyard to a cafeteria. possibility of freeing the ground floor with a floor reminiscent of a basket- According to Project Manager from structural obstacles. The floors ball court. Richard Bailiff, the internal spaces accompany the ‘fingers’ in the periph- The ground floor is almost entirely are highlighted by the extensive use ery of the facade structure, giving dedicated to the FIBA Hall of Fame of glass that emphasises the trans- maximum flexibility for the internal and a flexible exhibition area housed parency of the building. spaces.”

EXTENDING OUR REACH - BASKETBALL THE GLOBAL SPORT 5 FIBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP an electrifying start The first round of the 2010 fiba world championship was full of high energy and action, raising the bar and making a mouth watering prospect for the games to come. The tournament is turning out to be the most competitive in the history of the game, with a host of upsets and unexpected results. There are no predictions and no favourites – just the promise of more great games.

6 EXTENDING OUR REACH - BASKETBALL THE GLOBAL SPORT 2010 Fiba World championship final round

eighth finals

SRB Quarter finals sept 4

Saturday Game 61 CRO Game 69 Winner Of Game 61

ESP Winner Of Game 62 semi finals sept 4 Saturday Game 62 Game 76 Winner Of Game 69 GRE sept 8 Wednesday SLO Winner Of Game 70 Bronze medal game sept 5 Sunday Game 64 AUS Game 70 Winner Of Game 64 Loser Of Game 76

Game 79 19:00 TUR Winner Of Game 63 loser Of Game 77 sept 5 Sunday Game 63 FRA sept 11 sept 12 Saturday Sunday USA sept 6 Monday Gold medal game Game 65 ANG Game 71 Winner Of Game 65

Game 80 Winner Of Game 76 rus Winner Of Game 66 sept 6 21:30 Winner Of Game 77

Monday Game 77 Game 66 nzl Winner Of Game 71 sept 9 LTU Thursday Winner Of Game 72 sept 7 Tuesday Game 67 chn Game 72 Winner Of Game 67 ARG Winner Of Game 68 sept 7 Tuesday Game 68 BRA GAme hours: 18:00 & 21:00* 18:00 & 21:00* 19:00 & 21:00*

*Order of games will be announced after the last game of the Preliminary round.

EXTENDING OUR REACH - BASKETBALL THE GLOBAL SPORT 7 Fiba world congress 2010 setting the stage a huge amount of work goes into arranging an international conference, and not just by the Fiba administration team. Get to within a few days of the opening date and a team rolls into action to transform a bare space - in this case, one of swissotel’s ballrooms - into a suit- able stage for delegates to meet and consider the shape of the world game over the next four years. reaching Out’s photographer, Jim robbins, was on hand to record the hotel’s transformation into the temporary centre of the basketball world for the next three days.

8 EXTENDING OUR REACH - BASKETBALL THE GLOBAL SPORT increase funds from sponsorship by 30%. Reaching Out: What action taken by the 2010 Country profile - Lithuania Another problem is with star players who Congress could most help your Federation? refuse to play in the national team. I think we Balciunas: I think more marketing and TV market could receive more support from international rights could be given to the continents. It would basketball organisations to address this problem. hasten the progress of basketball if national Managing the federations would become more involved in the Reaching Out: What steps are you taking to process. overcome these challenges? financial balance Balciunas: We look for new sponsors and Reaching Out: How do you see basketball devel- initiate new projects. Talking in general, no big oping in your country over the next three years? problems will come up if the Federation is stable Balciunas: The next three years will be devoted “The next three financially. Our marketing and public relations are to developing quality in the organisational, mar- years will be well arranged. keting and financial spheres. We want to see our devoted to clubs better organised, more innovative leagues developing Reaching Out: What can other Federations learn and better operations in youth basketball and quality in the from the experience of your Federation? schools. We’ll pay special attention to women’s organisational, Balciunas: First of all other federations could basketball, continue creating women basketball marketing analyse our structure. It is not an easily adopt- centres and developing players. and financial able thing for any country, but still it could help spheres. “ in generating ideas. We work as an autonomic Reaching Out: Where do you see world basket- association, all leagues, associations of coaches ball in four years’ time? and referees work separately on their own. They Balciunas: I see basketball making huge Mindaugas Balciunas get some funds and have to report how they progress, especially in continents like South used them. America and Africa. I sincerely hope that the I guess there is no such basketball federa- basketball world will become more united, and Lithuania may be a small country, but it has Federation took full control of the men’s team, the tion in Europe quite like it. Most federations that there will be more cooperation between fed- made big progress in developing basketball. financial situation of LBF became much better. As run everything except professional leagues. Our erations and commercial leagues. I hope we will More players and more teams are playing a result, we could increase funds to youth teams, model pays off. create a model that will attract the best players the game despite a reduction in government which have delivered much better results. Every country could learn from our schools to the main international events and in turn funding. Mindaugas Balciunas, Secretary The LBF has also started new projects, the league, its structure and the work it does. Of generate more profit for national federations. General of the Lithuanian Basketball Federa- most successful being the LBF cup tournament, course, it is not easy to implement our model in tion (LBF), talks about the challenges. “Sprite basketball talent battle 1 on 1”, women a big country. basketball centres, a magazine “Our basketball” Lithuania – fact file Reaching Out: Can you outline progress and key and others. Reaching Out: What is your Federation hoping to developments in your Federation in the four years achieve at this Congress? since the last FIBA Congress? Reaching Out: What challenges to the growth of Balciunas: We hope to elect a President • FIBA ranking – Men 6th and Women 13th Balciunas: Progress has been very significant. basketball do you face? who understands all the problems of national • registered players – 12,000 We have seen a 25% increase in the number Balciunas: Our main challenge is financial. federations. We think there is space for a closer • main tournaments - LKL – Lithuanian of teams in professional and semi-professional Lithuania is not a big country, so we lack funds cooperation of FIBA and national federations. basketball league; NKL – National leagues coordinated by Lithuanian basketball to start all projects that we would like to have. Together we can achieve more in marketing and basketball league (2nd level); RKL – Regional basketball league (3rd level); federation. We have also made big progress in Financing by the state decreased in recent years TV expansion so every federation could benefit LMKL – Lithuanian women’s basketball marketing, so we have a lot more basketball on significantly, so we are very happy that we from it. league; LMKAL – Lithuanian women’s our TV stations. We also made very important managed to continue cooperation with our main FIBA Europe is a good model and some basketball A league (2nd league); LSKL changes to the structure of the Federation, which sponsors and we also increased the number of elements of European practice could be used at – Lithuanian students basketball league; is now responsible for all national teams including sponsors. The LBF now receives more funds from a world level. Basketball has a strong position MKL – Schools children basketball men. Previously, the men’s national team was sponsors than it does from the state. Despite and can become stronger in relation to soccer, league; VKL – Veterans basketball league under the rule of a separate foundation. When the the poor economic situation, we managed to Formula 1 and other sports.

Exhibitor profile – Elan Call to simplify equipment

Basketball equipment should be simplified in order to help trum, from skis and snowboards to power boats. the game flourish in the development world, according to The firm’s production capability is located in Slov- Janez Rezman, Project Manager of Elan Inventa. enia, Austria and Croatia. “Basketball is still in the shadow of soccer, but the Its marketing effort is through five of its own com- situation is improving,” said Rezman. “The game is very panies focused on the USA, key markets in Europe and popular in Europe and the Americas, while Africa and Japan, complemented by a network of independent Asia represent great potential.” distributors in other export markets. “However, I do believe that basketball equipment and The FIBA Study Centre was founded to help equip and the surfaces it is played on should be simplified in order increase the number of sports facilities throughout the to enable better market access to poorer countries.” world, to encourage the construction of basic facilities Elan Inventa is an official FIBA technical partner, and the refurbishment of older ones and to co-ordinate working in the area of seating systems, and an associ- research initiatives and offer consulting services for ate in backboard support units. materials, equipment design and construction. ELAN Inventa is part of the Elan Group, a leading pro- The objective is to attain a high standard of quality, ducer and supplier of sports and leisure time activities safety and high-tech for the athletes, the public, as well equipment and active in these markets for more than 60 as for the media whose demands are growing. This can years. only be achieved by a constant control and inspection The Elan Group makes products across a wide spec- of facilities and equipment.

EXTENDING OUR REACH - BASKETBALL THE GLOBAL SPORT 9 SCHELDE

GERFLOR

Sauro Mambrini. SPORT SYSTEM Exhibitor profile –

Champion SPORTCOURT New life for iconic “hoody” DAPLAST It’s the garment of choice for basketball players and for those who wish to look cool on the street – and the firm behind the hooded OIKO fleece sweatshirt (the hoody) is at the World Congress with an Delegates arrive for registration and collect the delegates bag. updated version. Sportswear firm Champion gave the world the iconic hooded fleece sweatshirt in the early 1950s and it’s selling better than ever nearly 60 years later. Now Champion has an updated version, according to Sauro Mambrini, President and Chief Executive of the company. SPAIN 2014 “Now we have re-opened the story,” he said. “We are paying homage to the icon of past generations, bringing it back to life with a slimmer style to offer a greater performance, while keeping the same spirit and quality of the authentic vintage - a true timeless legend.” The hoody was characterised by its unique “reverse weave” system, which protected the garment, wash-after-wash, without losing its quality or shape. Champion Europe is a leading designer, marketer and distribu- tor of athletic apparel, team uniforms, footwear and accessories. MONDO With European Headquarters in Italy, including a product design, development and sourcing centre in Florence, Champion products are sold through a distribution mix of sporting goods retailers, MOLTEN CHAMPION more than 200 Champion stand-alone stores, and are worn by both amateur and professional teams alike. The firm is the Exclusive Apparel and Footwear Partner of FIBA Worldwide, the Official and Exclusive Technical Sponsor of the Italian Basketball Federation (FIP), the Official and Exclusive Technical Sponsor of the Hellenic Basketball Federation (HBF) and the Brazilian Basketball Federation (CBB). Champion distributes across more than 60 countries in Europe, Floor plan Africa and the Middle East. It is currently targeting new markets in Nar Zanolin Sec.retary General of Eastern Europe and the Middle East. FIBA Europe Mambrini said that for Champion, basketball is its number one sport. “Basketball is the significant key to the success of our busi- Check in and check ness both in terms of commercial value – and communication value.” He added: “We are at the World Congress because basketball out the facilities is the core sport of the positioning of our brand, and through basketball we are able to communicate the values of our brand to The 19th FIBA World Congress got going yesterday, with delegates arriving the world of FIBA. at the Congress centre in anticipation of three action-packed days. A steady “As Champion is the Exclusive Apparel and Footwear Partner of stream of delegates kept the Accreditation team busy before departing with FIBA Worldwide, the World Congress offers our brand the perfect a giant delegate bag packed with information about the coming three days. opportunity to support the entire membership of the FIBA family Already in place were the stands, exhibits and information booths that and we are able to show this support through our participation. complement the Congress itself. “We believe there is tremendous potential for growing the With basketball in the ascendant in the sporting landscape, the 19th FIBA game of basketball around the world, and this is one of the main Congress has attracted huge interest and new features such as the mini- reasons we are proud to be associated with FIBA and all the exhibition of commercial players in the game. Members of FIBA as we need a common and collective approach.” Delegate bags. Check out the floor plan to find what you are looking for.

10 EXTENDING OUR REACH - BASKETBALL THE GLOBAL SPORT After hours in… Istanbul There is lots to do and explore away from the CONGRESS. Whether you are looking for a restaurant or some tUrkish history, here is a small selection of things to do and see.

Sites for sore eyes to do istanbul justice would take more time than anybody attending the World Congress has probably got, so here are just some of the highlights. Despite a busy Congress and the excite- ment of the World Championship, delegates should make an effort to visit at least one of the city’s major attractions. you will not be disappointed.

Blue Mosque If you have time for only one excursion while in Istanbul, you could do worse than visit the Blue Mosque. It takes its name from the stunning blue Iznik tiles that line the interior. This was a vast labour of love and it shows. The cascade of domes and its six slender mina- rets dominate the skyline of Istanbul. It was built by Sultan Ahmet I (who gave it its formal name of Sultan Ahmet Mosque) who wanted an Islamic place of worship that would be more impressive than the Haghia Sophia next door. Dolmabahce Palace He was passionate about the project to the point built in the 19th century, this is one of the most of working alongside his labourers. glamorous palaces in the world. it was the admin- The architect Mehmet Aga knew he had to istrative centre of the late Ottoman empire with the come up with a design that would delight the last of the Ottoman sultans residing there. sultan: his predecessor had been executed by the it was conceived by sultan abdul mecit, who was sultan who was dissatisfi ed with his work. seeking to align the Ottoman empire with europe. it contents are priceless, but the location Unusually the Blue Mosque has six minarets was completed in 1856 and the result is stunning. Topkapi Palace alone is worthy of a visit, with its glorious instead of four, possibly because of a misunder- its 46 reception rooms and galleries lavishly deco- the topkapı palace was the residence views over the Golden Horn and the sea standing in the instructions, but the result was rated in gold and crystal rivals anything in europe. in the city of the Ottoman rulers for four of marmara. controversy as this was the same number as the the beautiful building has a special meaning for hundred years until the mid-19th Century. the promontory was originally the site holiest mosque in the world in Mecca. The sultan the turkish people as it was here that the founder it is breathtakingly situated, as befi ts a of the acropolis when the city was known smoothed things over by paying for a seventh of the turkish republic ataturk worked and later complex that had many roles, not least as byzantium and Greek. the remains of minaret to be added to the Mecca mosque. died. He died at 9.05 am on november 10th, 1938 the need to impress the world. it was the byzantine cistern can still be seen. Non worshippers are required to use the north and all the clocks in the building are stopped at this home to the sultan’s wives and concu- the complex is approached via the entrance, which is festooned with hanging chains time as a mark of respect. bines and also the seat of government. huge imperial Gate where once impe- that encourage everyone entering on horseback, in the beautiful Ceremonial Hall hangs the world’s it was also a symbolic salute to the rial processions issued forth. the 15th whether commoner or sultan, to bow their head. largest chandelier, a gift from Queen Victoria of Great forebears of its builder, mehmet ii, who Century structure is now covered in 19th Inside, the high ceiling is lined with the 20,000 britain. the Crystal staircase linking the administra- conceived topkapi after conquering Century marble but retains the original blue tiles that give the mosque its popular name. tive offi ces with the ceremonial and function rooms Constantinople. planned as a complex of Ottoman calligraphy at the top. Fine examples of 16th-century Iznik design, the upstairs features balusters of baccarat crystal. pavilions, it was a monument in stone to the huge First Courtyard, originally oldest tiles feature fl owers, trees and abstract pat- the harem has several apartments of differing the tent encampments of his forefathers. used as a park, contains the 6th Century terns. The overall effect is one of the most beautiful grades of luxury for the sultan, his wives, mother, a unesCO World Heritage site, church of Haghia eirene, the former sights in Istanbul. The Iznik tiles can be seen in concubines, servants and guests. topkapi contains the most holy relics of imperial mint and various fountains. the galleries and on the north wall above the main the muslim world including the prophet the Gate of salutation leads to the entrance. The remaining tiles, which have a less mohammed’s cloak and sword. second Courtyard where a magnifi cent delicate design, were made in Kütahya. the palace complex is made up of four display of arms and armour is to be The interior is lit with 260 windows, which were main courtyards and many smaller buildings. found. the third courtyard is where the once fi lled with 17th-century stained glass. Sadly, this at its height as royal residence and centre of sultan had his private quarters. has been lost and replaced with inferior replicas. administration, it was home to 4,000 people. Visitors should also try to visit the the end of the Ottoman empire in imperial wardrobe, throne room, kitchens 1921 saw the palace transformed into and harem (although book early for the a museum. and what a museum! the last as it is very popular).

Archaeological Museum it is no surprise that main collection, the tiled troy to everything you a country with such a pavilion and the museum ever wanted to know Emergency numbers fabulously rich heritage of the ancient Orient. about istanbul. it also should have a world- Here you will learn houses the treaty of police 155 class museum. the about the region from Kadesh, the world’s ambulance 112 archaeological museum the stone and iron ages oldest surviving peace Fire 110 has three sections: the through the history of treaty. General emergency 115

EXTENDING OUR REACH - BASKETBALL THE GLOBAL SPORT 11 Fiba33 Congress to plot future of “sensational” FIBA33

The future development of the new FIBA33 3 on 3 version ball nations and smaller countries, said Radovic. Whereas, of basketball is in the hands of delegates to the World Con- smaller countries will struggle to develop 12 world-class gress in Istanbul, according to Zoran Radovic, FIBA Sports players, the three-person format gives them a much better Development Director. chance. Speaking fresh from a visit to the new game’s debut at the And it has a style all of its own, he added. Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, Radovic said the team “We wanted something that would catch the imagination, behind FIBA33 was looking for input from the Congress. a form of freestyle basketball,” he said. “The very positive “We have ideas about how it should develop in future, but reaction that we saw in Singapore, from players and people it is the job of the Congress to put forward ideas about how watching, seems to suggest that we got it right.” people see it going,” he said. “We want to know what the Everything from court design to the rules of play were trialled federations think about this form of the game and how they and modified before the new game was unveiled atS ingapore. want it to go forward.” One of the most enthusiastic supporters of the new game FIBA33 is the subject of one of the panel discussions was Carlos Nuzman, President of the Organising Commit- scheduled for tomorrow morning. tee of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. He called Radovic was speaking after watching the Youth Olympic Singapore slingers: New game on the block that wowed the crowds. the launch of the game at Singapore “fantastic” and said it Games where FIBA33 was featured for the first time in a should be adopted for the Olympic Games. major event. “The question that the federations need to address now “I am for attracting youngsters to the Olympic Games,” he “It was sensational,” he said. “People just loved the is in what direction do they want FIBA33 to go and the World said, adding that “nothing is better to do that than modernis- game and the venue was a sell-out. Everybody had good Congress is the perfect opportunity to approach the issue.” ing the Games itself, creating alternative events”. things to say about it.” The first official outing of the FIBA33 game saw China and In Singapore, the two open-air half-courts – that included Such was the enthusiasm for the new game that some Serbia win the girls’ and boys’ finals respectively. special flooring designed for tropical weather conditions – observers in Singapore were already talking about it as a For Radovic and his colleagues in FIBA it was the vindica- were set up in downtown Singapore’s Scape shopping district candidate for the senior Olympic Games. tion of a strategy to expand the game of basketball, bringing in front of a grandstand for 1,500 spectators. Such was the Radovic is more cautious. it to new audiences and players. It was a case of creating for interest in the event that all games were sold out in advance. “I think that the long-term target for FIBA will remain to basketball what Rugby 7s is to Rugby Union and Twenty/20 FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann said after watch- get 16 teams (in the conventional form of the game) into the cricket is to the longer form of the game. ing the early games: “It is really great to see how players and Olympics,” he said. “That remains the priority for us and one A major attraction of the new form of the game is that it spectators have embraced FIBA33. The 10 second shot-clock that we will not give up. acts as an “equaliser” between traditionally strong basket- has already made for some breathtaking action and I am sure that as the tournament progresses and the players get more familiar with 3 on 3, the courts will really be set alight.” FIBA33 was inspired by several forms of streetball played “We wanted something that all around the world. This exciting format sees two teams of three players face off on a standard half-court, encouraging would catch the imagination, a players to express themselves on court with displays of skill and trickery. Games are to be played in two periods of five minutes, form of freestyle basketball.” with the first team reaching 33 winning the game. If neither team has reached 33 points after the second period, the Zoran Radovic, FIBA Sports Development Director. team with the highest score wins the game.

12 EXTENDING OUR REACH - BASKETBALL THE GLOBAL SPORT