FIBA President Hamane Niang returns to his post – Basketball News

After several sexual harassment allegations within the Financial Basketball Federation (FMBB) reached the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) on June 10, the report by independent Integrity Officer Professor Richard McLaren was forwarded to FIBA.

President Niang is back in office, while FIBA ​​confirms that the independent report does not provide any evidence to support claims that FIBA ​​President Hamane Niang knew or should have known about sexual abuses in the Financial Basketball Federation. FIBA President Hamane Niang vehemently rejected the allegations that he knew or should have known about the sexual abuses that occurred especially during his tenure in the Financial Basketball Federation from 1999 to 2007, and decided to withdraw temporarily while the investigation was being conducted, and cooperated fully to support the investigation. had offered.

Following this result, the FIBA ​​President made the following statement: “This investigation is of great importance and I would like to convey my personal and unconditional support to the victims. These offenses must be duly prosecuted by FIBA ​​through independent procedures. The Integrity Officer has confirmed my innocence, now I will resume my official duties at FIBA.”

To access the full report click here.

In addition to the suspension of coaches Amadou Bamba and Oumar Sissoko and official Hario Maiga on 14 June and FMBB President Harouna Maiga on 23 July, FIBA, after carefully examining the document and taking the advice of the Integrity Officer, has previously withdrawn from all FIBA ​​activities. He will also be suspending three other FMBB members (Coach Fanta Diallou, General Secretary Seydou Maiga and Vice President Amadou Traore). Other decisions will be taken by the authorized FIBA ​​bodies in due course.

Since June, FIBA ​​has taken numerous steps after receiving these allegations, with the aim of establishing an immediate safety and protection service for players of the women’s teams under 19 and 16 from Mali. Here is a list of the activities carried out in the last three months as an emergency response to the situation of female players under the age of 19 and 16:

• Recruitment of a local partner recognized for their genuine involvement in human rights advocacy in Mali.

• Developing procedures for reporting security incidents.

• Coordinating with professional stakeholders to protect survivors and players, including hiring a case manager, appointing a psychologist and a law firm.

• Organization of psychosocial activities and educational discussion groups during the training camp for 29 players from the women’s teams under 19 and 16 years old.

• Accompany and support women’s team players aged 19 and under 16 on their trips to Hungary (FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2021) and Egypt (FIBA U16 Women’s Africa Championship).

• Establishing protection services and support for survivors.

In addition, with regard to young and senior female players, the following measures will be implemented in Mali in the coming months:

• Continuing the protection of survivors with regular follow-up.

• Training of officials, volunteers (coaches, doctors, FMBB supervisors) on the protection and protection of children and young athletes in the world of sports.

• Support to FMBB in establishing a protection procedure and developing an action plan within it, aimed at ensuring the protection and safety of players.

• Organization of prevention and awareness-raising activities on protection through recommendations to strengthen the protection procedures in place for female players under 19 and 16 years old and extend it to basketball players beyond the Mali national teams.

• Organization of a national workshop that brings together athletes, Malian authorities, non-governmental organizations and key people to raise awareness on protection in sport and to systematically advocate on child protection issues in sport activities.

While FIBA ​​reiterates that it continues to have zero tolerance for any form of harassment and abuse, it extends its sincerest sympathy to victims of such behaviour.

In addition, FIBA, together with the Players Commission and partners, will launch a global player protection initiative aimed at educating and protecting players from abuse in basketball. The initiative will be submitted to the approval of the Central Board in November 2021.

Until then, FIBA ​​will not comment further on this matter.