Munich, Jan 29, 2014: As part of their continued commitment to women’s basketball in Europe, FIBA Europe is in the process of introducing women’s basketball ambassadors, who will formally begin their roles at the EuroLeague Women Final Eight in Ekaterinburg.
The ambassadors, who are all notable former international players, will become spokespersons for the women’s game, further promoting women’s basketball across Europe, and the role that FIBA Europe plays in the development of the sport.
So far, FIBA Europe is proud to announce the first two ambassadors as former French international Edwige Lawson-Wade and Hana Horakova of the Czech Republic, with two more remaining to be announced.
Lawson-Wade enjoyed a storied career playing in EuroLeague Women before going out on a high with Les Bleues, as a member of the silver-medal winning French team at EuroBasket Women 2013, having previously won a gold medal in the same tournament in 2001. In 2012, the point guard was a member of the silver-medal winning French team at the London Olympics.
Horakova was a regular fixture on the senior women’s scene for well over a decade with 14 EuroLeague Women campaigns to her name. Playing for her nation, the guard won gold and silver medals at EuroBasket Women, as well as a silver medal at the 2010 World Championship.
“This is a fantastic new initiative for FIBA Europe, that further reinstates our commitment to the women’s game in Europe,” stated FIBA Europe Acting President Cyriel Coomans.
“Horakova and Lawson-Wade were already great ambassadors of the women’s game during their playing days and with this new relationship with FIBA Europe, this is set to continue in retirement,” said FIBA Europe Secretary General Kamil Novak in reference to the first confirmed ambassadors, adding, “I am confident that the further ambassadors to be named will bring the same enthusiasm to the table to give back to the game which has already given them so much.”
On being notified of the selection of Lawson-Wade as one of the ambassadors, the French Basketball Federation stated in a letter to Novak that: “The French Basketball Federation and our President Mr Jean Pierre Siutat expressed big satisfactions with this exceptional honour.” Photographer: FIBA Europe / BK Imos Brno & Ciamillo – Castoria
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