2015 NBA Hall of Fame inductee Dikembe Mutombo has congratulated newly elected Angolan Basketball Federation (FAB) President Helder Cruz following his successful transition from his playing days on the court.
Cruz ousted then President Paulo Madeira in elections recently held in the country. As a result, Madeira’s four year reign as leader of Africa’s most successful nation.
Speaking on the matter in an interview with Angolan newspaper Jornal dos Desportos, Mutombo who was in Ghana last year, lauded the change saying:
“Let me congratulate Mr Cruz, who is identified with basketball. I believe that Angolan basketball can reach a high level in the new future.”
On his part, Cruz has pledged to decentralize Angola’s basketball system to feature more teams from the country’s many settlements. Cruz served as General Assembly Chairman for the FAB before assuming the top seat.
He also was part of Angola’s victorious Under 18 team at the 1988 African Championship.
The man he replaces, Madeira had success during his time as Angola won the 2013 Men’s and Women’s AfroBasket Championships in 2013 and Under 18 Championship in July last year.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@ YawMintYM on Twitter
