The International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) is deeply saddened to learn of the passing FIBA Secretary General Emeritus Borislav Stankovic on March 20, 2020. He was 94 years old.
Borislav Stankovic served as FIBA's second Secretary General from 1976 to 2002 and was a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). He had been FIBA's Secretary General Emeritus since 2003.
Mr. Stankovic was a long-time friend of IWBF after instigating the first co-operation between FIBA and IWBF in 1992 whilst he was in the role as FIBA’s Secretary General.
IWBF President, Ulf Mehrens, said:
“I speak on behalf of IWBF and the whole wheelchair basketball community when I say that we are all deeply saddened by Mr. Stankovic’s passing, and our thoughts and condolences go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.”
In 1992, the then IWBF President, Sir Philip Craven MBE, met with Mr. Stankovic following the creation of an independent wheelchair basketball federation and they established a beneficial working relationship with the International Basketball Federation, which still exists to this day.
His co-operation and support he offered IWBF and the sport of wheelchair basketball was recognised when Mr. Stankovic was bestowed IWBF’s highest honour on 18 June 2002, the Gold Medal Triad.
Former President of the IPC and IWBF, Sir Philip Craven MBE, said:
“I first met Borislav Stankovic in the autumn of 1992 after the highly successful Paralympic Games in Barcelona. He was a true lover of sport, and of course basketball.
“The meeting took place at FIBA HQ in Munich - just the two of us together for 45 minutes. This was the first time in my life (and I have only ever had one since) when after the meeting I had no idea if the meeting had been successful or not.
“Anyway, it must have been successful as over the coming years IWBF and FIBA developed a strong and trusted partnership, firstly through Borislav and his team, and then with the sadly departed and most dynamic, Patrick Baumann.
“Thank you, Borislav for recognising wheelchair basketball as a sport worthy of partnership with FIBA. Rest in Peace.”
Photo credit: FIBA
