The International Basketball Federation (Fiba) paid tribute to former African basketball president Abdoulaye Seye Moreau of Senegal who died over the weekend.
Moreau, 90, served as Fiba president from 1998 to 2002, after four years as vice president of the organisation. Before that, the former player and referee, who officiated at the 1975 Women’s World Championship in Colombia, served a five-year term as Fiba Africa president until 1998.
Although retired from his basketball activities, last year, the former president of Senegal Basketball Federation attended the Fiba’s central board meeting in Abidjan, the first-ever held on the continent of Africa.
Current Fiba president Hamane Niang paid tribute to Seye Moreau: “He has truly marked the history of African basketball. On behalf of the Fiba family and all basketball stakeholders, I extend my sincere condolences to his family in Senegal. Moreau actively participated in the modernization of basketball in Africa. He was open-minded, and for me, he was a friend, a colleague, a father figure and advisor.”
Fiba secretary-general Andreas Zagklis described Moreau as a great and wise leader.
“I last met him at the Fiba central board meeting in Abidjan. It was a pleasure to exchange on his vision for the development of our sport. I extend sincere condolences to the entire African and global basketball family.”
Fiba Africa president Anibal Manave added:”This is very sad news. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and to the whole sports movement in Senegal. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time. May his soul rest in peace and may light perpetual shine on him.”
Fiba Africa Executive Director Alphonse Bile, who considers Moreau as one of his mentors, said: “His physical disappearance represents a significant loss for Senegal, Africa and the world. He was a great man and a great basketball leader. He has dedicated a great part of his life to the basketball cause.
As Fiba Africa Honorary President, he was always available whenever his presence was necessary.
“In 2019, he dignified the image of African basketball, attending the inauguration of FIBA Africa’s newly built headquarters in Abidjan – the African House of Basketball. We could read his joy, emotion and delight on his face. He felt proud of the state-of-art building. It would be a tremendous honor and a fair recognition to see Senegal rename the Dakar Arena after Mr. Moreau for all his services to basketball and sports in general.”
Moreau was born in Louga, Senegal, in November 1929. He played basketball for three local clubs in the Senegalese Basketball First Division from 1955-1965.
After graduating in Law, Moreau served as general director of the National Development of Senegal.
In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo
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