The Cyprus Basketball Federation, established in 1966, is the governing body of basketball in Cyprus. It is responsible for managing and promoting the sport at all levels, from grassroots to professional leagues, and for representing Cyprus on the international stage.
The federation has achieved a significant milestone by becoming a full member of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in 1974. It runs three national men’s leagues, namely OPAP Basket League, Division B1, and Division B2. Additionally, there are national leagues for women, and international competitions such as the FIBA 3×3 Europe Cup.
History of the Cyprus Basketball Federation
The Cyprus Basketball Federation was founded in 1966, and it is the governing body for basketball in Cyprus. The federation is responsible for organizing and regulating basketball activities throughout the country.
Since its inception, the federation has worked tirelessly to promote the sport of basketball in Cyprus. It has organized numerous tournaments, leagues, and championships, and has helped to develop the skills of many young basketball players in the country.
One of the most successful periods in the history of basketball in Cyprus was from 1966 to 1974. During this time, the most successful teams on the island were Digenis Morphou and PAEEK. These teams dominated the sport and helped to establish basketball as one of the most popular sports in the country.
From 1974 to 1988, basketball in Cyprus experienced a period of decline. However, in 1988, the federation launched a new initiative to revive the sport. This initiative included the introduction of new training programs and the establishment of new leagues and championships.
Today, the Cyprus Basketball Federation continues to work hard to promote the sport of basketball in the country. It organizes numerous tournaments and championships, and it provides support and training to young basketball players throughout the country.
Organizational Structure of the Cyprus Basketball Federation
The Cyprus Basketball Federation (CBF) is responsible for the development and promotion of basketball in Cyprus. It is headed by a Board of Directors and supported by various committees.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors is responsible for the overall management and direction of the CBF. It consists of a President, Vice President, Secretary General, Treasurer, and other members elected by the General Assembly of the CBF. The current President of the CBF is Andreas Pilavakis.
The Board of Directors is responsible for making decisions on matters such as the CBF’s budget, development plans, and the appointment of staff. It also represents the CBF in international meetings and negotiations.
Committees
The CBF has several committees that support the Board of Directors in its work. These include:
- The Technical Committee, which is responsible for the development of basketball in Cyprus, including the training of coaches and referees.
- The Competitions Committee, which is responsible for organizing and managing basketball competitions in Cyprus, including the national leagues and cup competitions.
- The Disciplinary Committee, which is responsible for investigating and taking action on any disciplinary issues that arise within the CBF.
- The Marketing and Communications Committee, which is responsible for promoting basketball in Cyprus and managing the CBF’s public relations.
The committees are made up of volunteers who are experts in their respective fields. They work closely with the Board of Directors to ensure that the CBF operates effectively and efficiently.
Membership and Affiliations
The Cyprus Basketball Federation (CBF) is the governing body for basketball in Cyprus. It was established in 1966 and became a full member of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in 1974. The CBF is responsible for representing Cyprus on the international stage and for running the national teams that represent Cyprus at all levels. Currently, it runs:
- Three national men’s leagues:
- OPAP Basket League
- Division B1
- Division B2
- One national women’s league:
- Division A
The CBF is also affiliated with the following organizations:
- The Cyprus Olympic Committee
- The Cyprus Sports Organization
- The Mediterranean Basketball Association
- The European Basketball Confederation
- The International Basketball Federation (FIBA)
Through these affiliations, the CBF is able to participate in international competitions and events, as well as collaborate with other basketball organizations around the world. The CBF also adheres to the rules and regulations set forth by these organizations, ensuring fair play and sportsmanship in all basketball-related activities in Cyprus.
National Teams
The Cyprus Basketball Federation oversees the development of basketball in Cyprus, including the national teams. The men’s and women’s national teams represent Cyprus in international basketball competitions and are controlled by the Cyprus Basketball Federation.
Men’s National Team
The Cyprus men’s national basketball team has been a member of FIBA since 1974 and has competed in smaller competitions such as the Games of the Small States of Europe. The team is currently coached by Christophoros Livadiotis.
Although the team has not yet qualified for major international competitions such as the FIBA Basketball World Cup or the Olympics, they have shown improvement in recent years. In 2019, they finished in second place in the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries, losing to Malta in the final.
Women’s National Team
The Cyprus women’s national basketball team has also been a member of FIBA since 1974 and has competed in smaller competitions such as the Games of the Small States of Europe. The team is currently coached by Antonis Konstantinides.
Like the men’s team, the women’s team has not yet qualified for major international competitions. However, they have had some success in smaller competitions. In 2018, they won the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries, defeating Gibraltar in the final.
The women’s team has also had success at the Mediterranean Games, winning bronze in 2013 and 2018.
Domestic Competitions
The Cyprus Basketball Federation organizes national leagues for both men and women, with a number of professional basketball clubs competing in these leagues.
Men’s Leagues
The top men’s league in Cyprus is the Cyprus Basketball Division A, which is the highest level of professional basketball in the country. The league consists of 8 teams, with each team playing 28 games in the regular season. The top 4 teams then advance to the playoffs, with the winner of the playoffs being crowned the league champion.
In addition to the Cyprus Basketball Division A, there is also a second-tier men’s league known as the Cyprus Basketball Division B. This league consists of 10 teams and operates in a similar format to the Division A league, with the winner being promoted to the top league and the bottom 2 teams being relegated to the lower league.
Women’s Leagues
The top women’s league in Cyprus is the Cyprus Women’s Basketball Division A, which consists of 6 teams. Like the men’s league, the women’s league also operates in a similar format, with the top 4 teams advancing to the playoffs and the winner being crowned the league champion.
In addition to the Women’s Division A, there is also a second-tier women’s league known as the Cyprus Women’s Basketball Division B. This league consists of 8 teams and operates in a similar format to the Division A league, with the winner being promoted to the top league and the bottom 2 teams being relegated to the lower league.
International Competitions
The Cyprus Basketball Federation participates in various international competitions, showcasing the talent of its players and representing the country on a global level. The following are the two types of international competitions that the federation participates in:
FIBA Competitions
The Cyprus Basketball Federation is a full member of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and participates in various FIBA competitions. The most famous and prestigious international basketball competitions organized by FIBA include the FIBA Basketball World Cup, the FIBA World Championship for Women, and the FIBA 3×3 World Tour.
The Cyprus men’s national basketball team has mostly competed in smaller FIBA competitions such as the Games of the Small States of Europe, winning it nine times. However, Cyprus will make their debut at the top continental competition, EuroBasket, as co-hosts in 2025.
Other International Competitions
Aside from FIBA competitions, the Cyprus Basketball Federation also participates in other international competitions. One of these competitions is the Mediterranean Games, a multi-sport event held every four years among nations around the Mediterranean Sea.
Another international competition that the federation participates in is the European Championship for Small Countries, which is held every two years for national basketball teams in Europe with a population of fewer than one million people.
Overall, the Cyprus Basketball Federation’s participation in international competitions provides an opportunity for the country to showcase its basketball talent and compete against other nations on a global level.
Development Programs
The Cyprus Basketball Federation is committed to developing and promoting basketball in Cyprus. To achieve this, the federation has implemented several development programs aimed at nurturing young talent and improving coaching education.
Youth Development
The federation’s youth development program is designed to identify and train young basketball players with the potential to become future stars. The program includes training camps, clinics, and tournaments that provide young players with the opportunity to showcase their skills and compete against their peers. The federation also partners with schools to introduce basketball to young children and encourage them to take up the sport.
Through its youth development program, the federation aims to create a pathway for young players to progress from grassroots basketball to the national team. The program has already produced several talented players who have gone on to represent Cyprus at the international level.
Coaching Education
The Cyprus Basketball Federation recognizes the importance of quality coaching in the development of basketball. To this end, the federation has implemented a coaching education program that aims to improve the skills and knowledge of coaches at all levels.
The program includes coaching clinics, workshops, and seminars conducted by experienced coaches and experts in the field. The federation also provides resources and materials to coaches to help them improve their coaching skills and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques in basketball.
By improving coaching education, the federation aims to improve the quality of basketball in Cyprus and produce more talented players who can compete at the highest level.
Conclusion
The Cyprus Basketball Federation has a long and rich history of basketball in Cyprus. From its early beginnings in the 1960s to the present day, the federation has played a significant role in promoting and developing basketball in the country.
With the OPAP Basket League being the premier basketball league in Cyprus, the federation has provided a platform for local teams to compete at the highest level. The league features 12 teams that compete against each other in a regular season.
In addition to the OPAP Basket League, there are also several other leagues in Cyprus, including the Division B league and the local amateur leagues. These leagues provide opportunities for players of all levels to participate in basketball and develop their skills.
The Cyprus men’s national basketball team has also competed in international competitions, including the Games of the Small States of Europe. While the team has not yet achieved significant success on the international stage, it continues to work hard to improve and represent Cyprus with pride.
Overall, the Cyprus Basketball Federation plays a vital role in promoting and developing basketball in Cyprus. With its commitment to providing opportunities for players of all levels, the federation ensures that basketball remains a popular and thriving sport in the country.