THE Namibian Basketball Federation has successfully established its 13th regional association.

"After almost a year of basketball restructuring, the interim committee is proud to state that the last Basketball Association - Hardap Basketball Association (HBA) was officially elected and established on Saturday, in Mariental," read a statement by NBF president Ndeulipula Hamutumwa announcing the historic feat. "This election marked officially the establishment of all 13 basketball associations in Namibia."

The newly elected HBA leadership consists of Erasmus Kuduva as it's president - his deputy is still to be appointed - the secretary general is Hope Muyaukwa, whilst Erastus Iita and Rusten Saal complete the committee as treasurer and development officer respectively.

The president also announced that "a National Basketball Congress will be convened at the Namibia Sports Commission boardroom this coming Saturday, starting at 08h30".

"Two delegates from each basketball association are invited to attend and participate at this historic and watershed event," Hamutumwa said.

Some of the pressing agenda points include "an endorsement of the draft NBF Constitution, reports from the Interim Committee, endorsement of the regional associations, reports from the regional associations, presentation from basketball stakeholders, and the election of the new NBF leadership that would serve the organisation for the next four years".

Hamutumwa acknowledged the support of the Namibia Sports Commission, Directorate of Sport, Regional Sport Officers, German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) and "all the loving citizens of this beautiful country" who made it possible for the interim committee to set up the regional basketball associations "timely and successfully".

"We look forward to the finalisation of the congress and allow basketball to move to another chapter in their existence and to accommodate all the stakeholders in basketball excellence," concluded Hamutumwa.