GLOBAL basketball took a hit at the weekend after the untimely passing of world governing body FIBA’s Secretary-General and International Olympic Committee member Patrick Baumann.
Suddenly and unexpectedly succumbed to a heart attack while at the ongoing Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Oct. 14, Mr. Baumann, FIBA Secretary-General since 2002, passed away at the age of 51. He is survived by his wife and two children.
The surprising news was greeted by much sadness and shock not only by the basketball community but also the sporting world in general, which viewed him as a great sports leader and advocate.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the country’s national basketball federation, expressed great sadness over the passing of Mr. Baumann, whom it saw was a “mover” in world basketball, and a friend and believer of Philippine hoops.
“He [Baumann] has been a good friend of Philippine basketball. I will always cherish those memories of meeting him for the first time in Geneva in 2007, a few months after being the SBP president; our presentation in Tokyo for hosting the 2019 World Cup. And finally our bid for 2023 in Geneva,” SBP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan said in a message, touching how under the leadership of Mr. Baumann Philippine basketball made significant strides as a FIBA stakeholder.
“He was a fair, objective but encouraging in our meetings — and more so in our bids. We — and FIBA — have lost our strongest pillar; it is best we carry his memory by doing the things he left us with. We all, without exception, will miss him,” Mr. Pangilinan’s message further read.
Also expressing their grief were the IOC and National Basketball Association.
The IOC highlighted how hardworking Mr. Baumann was to see, in particular, basketball grow.
“… We have seen him working hard, as we always knew him, for the sport he loved. We lose a young and sympathetic leader, full of hope [and] who was standing for the future of the sport,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.
For NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Mr. Baumann’s dedication to his cause was unparalleled.
“Nobody was more dedicated to the growth of basketball than Patrick. He loved the game and recognized its power to transform people’s lives. He was also a dear friend and colleague who I attended countless games and events with over the past 20 years. The NBA family mourns the loss of Patrick…” Mr. Silver said.
Swiss Baumann first became part of FIBA in 1994 as a lawyer before being appointed deputy secretary-general a year later.
In 2002, he was unanimously appointed secretary-general by the Central Board and five years later became a member of the IOC.
Recognizing the key role he had played in the growth of FIBA, early this year the Central Board of the governing body unanimously agreed to extend the contract of Mr. Baumann until 2031.
While his current contract as an official of FIBA was not to expire until 2022, FIBA saw it fit to extend it some more to ensure continuity of the programs and advancements made under Mr. Baumann’s watch.
Under Mr. Baumann, FIBA became a solid organization with the implementation of concrete measures such as the introduction of a new, efficient modern structure and governance system while on a sporting perspective he had been instrumental in the development of a new competition system that came into effect last year as well as the successful launch of 3×3, which has now become an Olympic discipline. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
