At the Executive Committee meeting of the association next week, the case conclusions and decision as well as FIBA recommendations, which the association will undertake to strengthen existing procedures, will be presented.
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“Having received the FIBA investigation findings, we see that the anonymous questionnaire survey of female basketball players did not reveal the circumstances that were presented to FIBA officials during confidential, live video conversations. This essentially determined the difference in the scope of investigations and the conclusions reached. I regret that in our investigation we could not use all the possibilities to ensure players’ rights, safety, and privacy,” said Tomas Jasevičius, chairman of the EDAK commission that conducted the initial investigation.
The FIBA Disciplinary Commission, following its regulations, devoted more than one and a half years to the investigation, relying on experience and practice that is not yet standardized in Lithuania and the country’s sports. FIBA regulations also grant the right to significantly stricter sanctions and decisions in assessing such cases.
“We take FIBA’s conclusions very seriously, and they will be unconditionally implemented. An Executive Committee meeting will be convened soon, where league and association leaders will be introduced to the FIBA investigation findings. Specific steps and decisions aimed at strengthening a safe sports environment, preventing unethical coach behavior cases, training team staff and basketball players, and supplementing professional coach conduct rules will also be presented in detail,” commented Mindaugas Balčiūnas, president of the “Lithuanian Basketball” association.
“I regret the previous assessment of the situation and the experiences endured by the female basketball players. I have no doubt that FIBA’s decision will help strengthen the system so that similar situations do not recur in the future or are identified and addressed promptly. The action plan presented to the Executive Committee will be dedicated to this,” said M. Balčiūnas.
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Main planned measures:
Strengthening and broader presentation of the Integrity Officer’s functions. The basketball community will be more thoroughly informed about the association’s Integrity Officer, who is the direct FIBA contact person on integrity and safe sports environment issues. The aim is for players, coaches, and other basketball community members to clearly know whom to contact when faced with possible violations.
Ensuring a confidential reporting system. A clear, safe, and confidential way to report possible misconduct will be ensured. At the same time, it will be clearly defined who receives such reports, how they are evaluated, and the procedure for taking further actions.
Supplementing the Code of Ethics and Discipline. Proposals will be made to tighten responsibility for harassment, psychological violence, and other violations of safe sports environment principles, as well as to more clearly regulate procedures for handling such cases.
Mandatory prevention and education. Together with FIBA, a series of seminars and training sessions on safe sports environment, professional coach and athlete relationship boundaries, and proper communication will be planned. The goal is for these trainings to become mandatory for all coaches working with youth.
