FIBA initiative excites Zim basketball
The Basketball Union of Zimbabwe (BUZ) is excited to have commenced the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) PLUS Strategy and Planning Programme which is meant to empower national federations to reach their potential.
The programme is one of the initiatives undertaken by FIBA, as part of its 2019-2023 long-term strategy for its affiliates.
It is designed to assist national federations map out a sustainable strategic focus in the development of basketball in their countries.
“We are incredibly excited and grateful to FIBA for this opportunity. We expect this programme to mark a new chapter in our basketball journey,” BUZ president Joe Mujuru said.
“I am confident that this programme will improve our administrative strategies and planning processes not only at national level, but also at club, provincial and school structures.”
The initiative is a tailor-made for Zimbabwean basketball with the aim of putting in place correct strategies for its specific needs to improve the federation’s capacity to organise, professionalise and commercialise its basketball activities, by ensuring the game’s successful development in Zimbabwe.
After discussions with BUZ and its external stakeholders to better understand how the federation works, FIBA will first support BUZ to help complete its situation analysis.
This analysis will provide information for the BUZ board members to consider when defining their future focus and developing their plan and provide necessary performance baselines and benchmarks which the federation can use to measure its future growth and progress.
Throughout the FIBA PLUS Strategy and Planning Programme, the BUZ will define goals, develop SMART objectives and detailed action plans for the next 18 to 24 months. FIBA will support the federation along the way with strong mentoring, workshops and tailored assistance.
A monitoring process will also be used to re-evaluate the BUZ strategy regularly to ensure it’s still right for the needs of the federation. All workshop sessions will be conducted via video conference.
“With one of the main focus areas of FIBA for the cycle of 20192023 the development of national federations, the FIBA PLUS Strategy and Planning Programme will provide the BUZ with a high level of expertise, knowledge and practical guidance on each step of their strategic planning process,” FIBA executive committee member and Africa president Anibal Manave said.
“National federations are the foundation of our sport and a key driver of development in each country and I look forward to seeing the progress of the BUZ in the near future.”
Manave also chairs FIBA’s Working Group on National Federation Development.