MIES (IWBF) - Maureen Orchard, the Secretary General of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF), has expressed her delight at the increased cooperation that is currently taking place with FIBA.

The IWBF Executive Council met at FIBA’s Headquarters last week and also held its first-ever draw at the House of Basketball, for the upcoming Parapan American Games.

Orchard used of her visit to talk about ongoing moves to ensure closer cooperation between the IWBF and FIBA, a process which is already underway.

"We have always had a wonderful relationship with FIBA, but our plan moving forward is that we will bring our office to the House Of Basketball," revealed Orchard.

"We will make it our official address for the future and will also have some staffing supported by FIBA.

"Over the next few years we are also looking to bring our own zones closer to the FIBA regions as well.

"The biggest change will be the way we are moving closer to FIBA as a 'Corporate Federation'.

"We will see the drawing together of both and by us having a presence in the FIBA building, the staff will be able to interact with the various FIBA department on a daily basis.

"That will be a great strengthening process for us."

The Parapan American Games is the qualifier for the 2016 Paralympics and will take place in Toronto, Canada in August.

"We had our final qualification tournament for women and with the blessing of Toronto 2015, we decided that if FIBA was able to assist us, it would be a wonderful opportunity to hold the draw here.

"For the first time, we have been able to do this draw in front of the Executive Board Council of the IWBF which is very nice and we are setting a new level for draws in the future."

As with most visitors, Orchard was left highly impressed by the House of Basketball.

"I was here for the inauguration and it is a beautiful building and I especially love the way that they have incorporated basketball themes into it," she said.

The IWBF Executive Council consists of:
President - Ulf Mehrens (GER)
Vice-President - Steve Bach (CAN)
Secretary General - Maureen Orchard (CAN)
Treasurer - Craig Moorgas (RSA)
Chairman Competition - Charlie Bethel (GBR)
Chairman Technical - Norbert Kucera (GER)
Chairman Classification - Don Perriman (AUS)
Chairwomen of Commission for Legal Matters and Eligibility (CLME) - Francisca Ravestein (NED)

Members at large:
Toufic Allouche (LIB)
Demirhan Serefhan (TUR)

President of the Zones:
IWBF Africa - Hamid El Aouni (MAR)
IWBF Americas - Dick Bryant (USA)
IWBF Asia-Oceania - In-Duk Kang (KOR)
IWBF Europe - Jan Berteling (NED)

FIBA