Cyprus Basketball Federation
Encyclopedia
The Cyprus Basketball Federation (Greek:
ΚΟΚ-Κυπριακή Ομοσπονδία Καλαθόσφαιρας, Turkish
: Kıbrıs Basketbol Federasyonu) is the governing body for basketball
on the island of Cyprus
and is a division of the Cyprus Sport Organisation (ΚΟΑ-Κυπριακός Οργανισμός Αθλητισμού). It was established in 1966 and became a full member of FIBA in 1974.
It is responsible for representing Cyprus
on the international stage and for running the national teams
that represent Cyprus at all levels.
Currently it runs:
The history of basketball in Cyprus can be roughly categorized into 3 periods (1966 to 1974, 1974 to 1988 and 1988 to today). Up to and including 1974 the most successful teams on the island were Digenis Morphou
and PAEEK
. As a direct result of the Turkish invasion
both teams were expelled from their home towns; an event which had obvious catastrophic consequences.
The immediate aftermath of the invasion was a period of economic suffering for all aspects of society including sport and basketball itself. Investment in sport development, infrastructure and foreign expertise (players and coaches) became of secondary importance. However, the triumph of Greece
in the Eurobasket 1987
tournament sparked a renewed interest in the sport which brought in young players and the beginnings of a much needed investment. Foreign players soon followed and new arenas were constructed to cover the thousands of fans flocking to the top division games.
Until the early 80’s most games were held on open courts with a tarmac floor and a wooden backboad. But by the end of the decade KOA (Cyprus Sports Authority) had invested in several modern indoor arenas. Stadiums were erected in every city and venues such as the Eleftheria” in Nicosia
, “Kition” in Larnaca
, AEL arena and Apollon stadium in Limassol
now meet modern international standards where Europe
an competition matches are regularly held.
Except of the men’s championship there is also a teenager’s league (U-20). The teams that take part in the men’s league also take part in the U-20 league. There is also women’s championship with 6 teams, U-16 boys and girl’s championship. Most of the teams also have basketball academies were young children go and learn the game.
Basketball in Cyprus is an expanding sport. More and more people are coming close to the game and the interest form the press and fans is going rapidly.
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
ΚΟΚ-Κυπριακή Ομοσπονδία Καλαθόσφαιρας, Turkish
Turkish language
Turkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
: Kıbrıs Basketbol Federasyonu) is the governing body for basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
on the island of Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
and is a division of the Cyprus Sport Organisation (ΚΟΑ-Κυπριακός Οργανισμός Αθλητισμού). It was established in 1966 and became a full member of FIBA in 1974.
It is responsible for representing Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
on the international stage and for running the national teams
Cyprus national basketball team
The Cypriot national basketball team is the national team of Cyprus. It is run by the Cyprus Basketball Federation. It is affiliated to FIBA, in the FIBA Europe zone.- History :The team participates at international and European tournaments...
that represent Cyprus at all levels.
Currently it runs:
- two national men’s leagues:
- Division 1Cyprus Basketball Division 1The Cypriot First Division A of the Men’s Basketball League is currently the top competition on the Cyprus Basketball calendar. It is run and governed by the Cyprus Basketball Federation...
(9 teams) - Division 2 (14 teams)
- The yearly Cypriot Basketball CupCypriot Basketball CupThe Cypriot Basketball Cup is an annual cup competition, organized by the Cyprus Basketball Federation since 1969. From 2007 the cup competition format changed, and in the cup participate only the teams of the Cypriot 1st Division. The cup employs a knock-out format...
(that employs a knockout format)
- The yearly Cyprus Super Cup (Champion vs Cup Winner game)
- One national Women’s League (7 teams)
History of Basketball in Cyprus
Cyprus has a total population of around 800,000 most of whom follow the sport of basketball. In terms of popularity and spectator following, basketball only comes second to football.The history of basketball in Cyprus can be roughly categorized into 3 periods (1966 to 1974, 1974 to 1988 and 1988 to today). Up to and including 1974 the most successful teams on the island were Digenis Morphou
Digenis Morphou
Digenis Akritas Morphou is a Cypriot sports club from Morphou, founded on April 23, 1931. The club takes its name from the medieval Greek hero Digenis Akritas who is depicted on the club's emblem...
and PAEEK
PAEEK
PAEEK is a Cypriot sports club founded in Kyrenia in 1953 by graduates of Kyrenia Gymnasium and represented the first force to be reckoned from the small city. It now plays in exile in Nicosia since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in July 1974...
. As a direct result of the Turkish invasion
Turkish invasion of Cyprus
The Turkish invasion of Cyprus, launched on 20 July 1974, was a Turkish military invasion in response to a Greek military junta backed coup in Cyprus...
both teams were expelled from their home towns; an event which had obvious catastrophic consequences.
The immediate aftermath of the invasion was a period of economic suffering for all aspects of society including sport and basketball itself. Investment in sport development, infrastructure and foreign expertise (players and coaches) became of secondary importance. However, the triumph of Greece
Greece national football team
The Greece national football team represents Greece in association football and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece's home ground is Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus and their head coach is Fernando Santos...
in the Eurobasket 1987
Eurobasket 1987
The EuroBasket 1987 was held in Greece between June 3 and June 14, 1987. Twelve national teams entered the event under the auspices of FIBA Europe, the sport's regional governing body...
tournament sparked a renewed interest in the sport which brought in young players and the beginnings of a much needed investment. Foreign players soon followed and new arenas were constructed to cover the thousands of fans flocking to the top division games.
Until the early 80’s most games were held on open courts with a tarmac floor and a wooden backboad. But by the end of the decade KOA (Cyprus Sports Authority) had invested in several modern indoor arenas. Stadiums were erected in every city and venues such as the Eleftheria” in Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
, “Kition” in Larnaca
Larnaca
Larnaca, is the third largest city on the southern coast of Cyprus after Nicosia and Limassol. It has a population of 72,000 and is the island's second largest commercial port and an important tourist resort...
, AEL arena and Apollon stadium in Limassol
Limassol
Limassol is the second-largest city in Cyprus, with a population of 228,000 . It is the largest city in geographical size, and the biggest municipality on the island. The city is located on Akrotiri Bay, on the island's southern coast and it is the capital of Limassol District.Limassol is the...
now meet modern international standards where Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an competition matches are regularly held.
Except of the men’s championship there is also a teenager’s league (U-20). The teams that take part in the men’s league also take part in the U-20 league. There is also women’s championship with 6 teams, U-16 boys and girl’s championship. Most of the teams also have basketball academies were young children go and learn the game.
Basketball in Cyprus is an expanding sport. More and more people are coming close to the game and the interest form the press and fans is going rapidly.
Leagues
Nine teams have won the league:- AELProteas EKA AELProteas EKA AEL , is a Cypriot professional basketball club based in Limassol, Cyprus. The club competes in the Cypriot League...
(13) - APOELAPOEL B.C.APOEL is a professional basketball team from Nicosia, Cyprus. APOEL is one of the most successful basketball clubs in Cyprus by winning 10 Championships, 11 Cups and 10 Supercups. APOEL B.C. is part of the APOEL multisport club.-History:...
(10) - AchilleasAchilleasAchilleas is a Cypriot basketball club founded in 1943, nowadays running basketball, volleyball and table tennis divisions. It has been an integral part of the community in the suburb of Kaimakli in Nicosia...
(5) - Keravnos (6)
- Pezoporikos (4)
- PAEEKPAEEKPAEEK is a Cypriot sports club founded in Kyrenia in 1953 by graduates of Kyrenia Gymnasium and represented the first force to be reckoned from the small city. It now plays in exile in Nicosia since the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in July 1974...
(3) - ENADENADENAD , is a first division basketball team based in the Agios Dometios district of Nicosia, Cyprus. It was founded in 1937 via the merger of three local sports clubs. Over the years, it has run basketball, football, table tennis and volleyball divisions...
(2) - Digenis (2)
- ETHA (1)
Cups
Eight teams have won the cup :- APOELAPOEL B.C.APOEL is a professional basketball team from Nicosia, Cyprus. APOEL is one of the most successful basketball clubs in Cyprus by winning 10 Championships, 11 Cups and 10 Supercups. APOEL B.C. is part of the APOEL multisport club.-History:...
(11) - AELProteas EKA AELProteas EKA AEL , is a Cypriot professional basketball club based in Limassol, Cyprus. The club competes in the Cypriot League...
(8) - AchilleasAchilleasAchilleas is a Cypriot basketball club founded in 1943, nowadays running basketball, volleyball and table tennis divisions. It has been an integral part of the community in the suburb of Kaimakli in Nicosia...
(7) - Keravnos (8)
- Pezoporikos (5)
- Apollon LimassolApollon Limassol BCPizza Express Primetel Apollon , is a Cypriot professional basketball club based in Limassol, Cyprus. The club competes in the Cypriot League...
(1) - ENADENADENAD , is a first division basketball team based in the Agios Dometios district of Nicosia, Cyprus. It was founded in 1937 via the merger of three local sports clubs. Over the years, it has run basketball, football, table tennis and volleyball divisions...
(1) - ETHA (1)
External links
- Overview by Cyprus Sport Organisation http://www.sport-koa.org.cy/english/federations_21.shtm
- Details as registered with FIBA http://www.fiba.com/temp/_pdf/FIBAMediaGuide/269.pdf
- Cyprus Basketball league info in English http://www.cybasketball.com/