With great sadness, FIBA confirmed on Saturday the death
of the former president and honorary president of FIBA Africa, Abdoulaye Seye
Moreau. He died at the age of 90 years.
After four years as vice-president of FIBA, Mr.
Moreau was the 8th president of FIBA from 1998 to 2002. Previously, the former
player and referee, who officiated at the Women's World Cup FIBA in Colombia in
1975 was president of FIBA Africa for five years until 1998.
Although he retired from his basketball
activities, the former president of the Senegalese Basketball Federation
attended the FIBA Central Council meeting in Abidjan last year, which is held
for the first time on the African soil.
Sports Central quoted current FIBA President Hamane Niang, as he paid tribute to Seye Moreau, he wrote: "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. Mr. 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 Mr. 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 Mr. 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.
Abdoulaye Seye Moreau was born in Louga, Senegal, in
November 1929. From 1955 to 1965, he played basketball for three local clubs in
the Senegalese first basketball division.
After studying law, Mr. Moreau served as General Director of the National Development of Senegal.
