14 November 2009 will go down as a banner day in the history of FIBA Europe, as the governing body for basketball in Europe officially opened their new headquarters in Munich, Germany.
Munich Mayor Christian Ude and FIBA Europe President George Vassilakopoulos were on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony at Ismaninger Str. 21 in Munich’s exclusive Bogenhausen district.
The approximately 1,600 square meter building, originally constructed in 1971, received a complete overhaul and face lift over the last eight months before becoming the permanent home of basketball in Europe.
“The city of Munich would like to join in expressing its congratulations to FIBA Europe as they move into this beautiful new building,” said Ude at a gathering shortly after the ribbon cutting ceremony.
“The city feels very honored to extend a cordial welcome to representatives of basketball from across Europe and the world.”
“Today is a day of joy and celebration for this great achievement,” added Vassilakopoulos.
“May this house be one step in the direction of achieving our objective of having basketball be the world’s number one sport.”
Official representatives of FIBA, UEFA, the European Volleyball Association, the European Handball Association and ULEB, among many others, were on hand for the event.
“This is a very satisfying day for everyone associated with FIBA Europe,” commented Secretary General Nar Zanolin.
“We started nearly eight years ago with very little to call our own, and this beautiful building is a testament to how far we have come in that time.”
FIBA Europe staff plan to move into the building in late November.
