A Milestone in Postojna
The FIBA European Women’s Basketball Summit celebrated its twentieth edition in the historic town of Postojna, Slovenia, on July 10, bringing together more than 1,500 participants representing 45 European basketball federations. The gathering, a cornerstone of FIBA Europe’s Women in Basketball initiative, has evolved from a modest networking forum into a pivotal platform for advancing the role of women across the sport.
Organised jointly by FIBA Europe and the Slovenian Basketball Federation, the summit has been held annually for two decades, with the exception of 2020 when the pandemic forced a pause. Since its resumption in 2021, the programme has shifted focus toward mentorship, offering coaching and refereeing support to emerging female talent.
FIBA Europe President Jorge Garbajosa, Executive Director Europe Kamil Novak and Hall of Fame inductee Natalia Hejkova joined the ceremony, delivering remarks that underscored the summit’s contribution to player development, leadership pathways and the broader visibility of women’s basketball. Their statements reflected on two decades of progress and outlined ambitions for the next generation.
New Identity and Testimonials
The event featured the unveiling of a fresh visual identity and logo for the summit, signalling a renewed emphasis on branding and outreach. A specially produced video showcased testimonials from former participants, including athletes such as Marina Maljkovic, Marie Gülich, Juste Jocyte, Marija Lekovic, Ariadna Chueca and Viola Gyorgyi, as well as referees and coaches who have benefited from the programme.
The summit’s legacy, as described by Garbajosa, lies not only in the numbers — over 1,500 attendees from 45 countries — but in the lasting impact on careers and the growth of women’s basketball throughout Europe. The celebration reaffirmed FIBA Europe’s commitment to fostering inclusive environments and expanding opportunities for female coaches, referees and players.