INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines -- Basketball?s world governing body discussed the possibility of adding more slots in the Olympics during the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) World Congress in Istanbul, Turkey.

The additional seats, however, could be awarded in the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympiad and not in the 2012 London Games.

?Additional slots in the Olympics were discussed for 2016. But we need to lobby,? Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala posted in his Twitter account.

Eala was present during the three-day congress attended by 173 member countries where new Fiba president Yvan Mainini of France succeeded outgoing Fiba chief Bob Elphinston of Australia.

SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan and vice chair Ricky Vargas also graced the gathering.

Top Fiba officials were impressed with the performance of Asian teams, particularly China, Lebanon and Iran, in the ongoing Fiba World Championship that prompted Fiba secretary-general Patrick Baumann to propose more slots for Asia and Africa.

From 12 slots, Baumann proposed to add four more in the Olympics while increasing the number of qualifying seats in the next world championship from 24 to 32.

Only one Asian slot will be available for the 2012 Olympics in the Fiba Asia Championship to be held in Beirut next year.

Eala said they would continue to lobby for one more Asian spot in the London Olympics.

Among Asian countries, only China was able to reach the round of 16 where it will tackle Lithuania. Iran clinched its first world championship victory at the expense of Tunisia while Lebanon stunned Canada in pool play.

Meanwhile, the Fiba bestowed the Fiba Order of Merit on Australia?s Ken Madsen and Carl Ching of Hong Kong during the congress. Eala said Madsen and Ching supported the SBP on its quest to gain recognition from the Fiba.