Ryzhenkov urged FIBA to return Belarusian athletes to international tournaments
In a special address to the participants of the FIBA Congress in Bahrain, the Chairman of the Belarusian Basketball Federation, Maxim Ryzhenkov, called on the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) to stop discriminatory practices and return Belarusian teams to international tournaments, sb.by reports citing the Belarusian sport federation’s website
Maxim Ryzhenkov noted that on May 18th, 2022, the FIBA Executive Board made an unjustified decision to suspend the national teams of Belarus from participating in official events under the FIBA auspices. This decision was a huge disappointment for everyone in the basketball community, including players, fans, coaches and tens of thousands of children involved in the sport.
Meanwhile, with the support of FIFA and UEFA, Belarus’ national football teams and clubs continue to compete in all official international tournaments. Recently, our national beach soccer team won silver medals at the World Cup. The Chairman of the Belarusian Basketball Federation noted that, in 2025, 32 Belarusian federations in 37 sports were permitted to participate in official international events. Currently, many international federations are actively working on the return of Belarusian athletes to the international arena. However, one of the world’s leading sports federations, FIBA, is extending the period of ineligibility. This decision could destroy the careers of several generations of highly motivated and well-trained Belarusian basketball players.
“According to the United Nations, there are currently more than 40 armed conflicts in the world. If all the affected countries were banned from participating in international tournaments, there would be no one left to compete. I would like to remind everyone that European and American politicians do not care at all about sport, or basketball in particular. Human lives and sports careers mean nothing to them,” Mr. Ryzhenkov emphasised.
He also believes that the ban on Belarusian players participating in international 3x3 basketball tournaments as part of foreign teams is generally far beyond the bounds of common sense: it is direct discrimination based on place of birth, ethnic origin or nationality.
“Instead of playing a consolidating role aimed at reconciling the interests of athletes in accordance with the basic principle of the Olympic Charter – that sports should be outside politics – the basketball community is, unfortunately, poisoned by the virus of hatred and intolerance. However, the Olympic Charter states that ‘sports organisations in the Olympic movement must be politically neutral’,” Mr. Ryzhenkov underlined.
According to Anastasia Marinina, the General Secretary of the Belarusian Basketball Federation, Mr. Ryzhenkov’s address has become one of the most discussed topics of the international forum.
“The vast majority of countries advocate the return of our strong teams to the international arena. For example, officials are disappointed that two of the world's leading national teams, Belarus and Russia, will not be represented at the upcoming Women’s World Cup, as this will affect the level of the tournament. The recommendation on the non-admission of team sports to tournaments comes from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), so there are now high hopes that the newly elected IOC President, Kirsty Coventry, will eliminate discriminatory policies. Everyone hopes that changes will be made this year. And, of course, the basketball community is ready to actively support these changes. The Belarusian Basketball Federation continues to receive official congratulations, including from many European federations, following the election of Maxim Vladimirovich Ryzhenkov as Chairman of the Belarusian Basketball Federation. Both FIBA and FIBA Europe are ready to support Belarus, and we are now awaiting the IOC’s decision,” Ms. Marinina noted.
