Harun Erdenay elected to top Turkish basketball post

ANKARA

DHA Photo

Former Turkish international Harun Erdenay was elected the new chair of the Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF) at an extraordinary congress on May 27 in Ankara, beating his rival Lütfi Arıboğan 93 votes to 81.

“It is a great honor and privilege to lead this world class federation,” Erdenay said after being elected to the post. “Turkish basketball has achieved tremendous success at all levels in recent years, and I am excited to continue building on the foundation that Turgay Demirel built and take TBF to the next level.” 

Erdenay was born into a basketball family in 1968. The son of Kemal Erdenay, a legendary former player and coach, Harun Erdenay was a star on the court in Turkey and Europe. He helped lead Turkish national team to a silver medal at EuroBasket 2001, Turkey's best ever result in the competition. He was a three-time Turkish Basketball League (TBL) champion and led the league in scoring twice before retiring from basketball in 2008. 
 
In 2006 he began serving as general manager of the national team. In 2010 he was the architect of the 12 Giant Men–squad that won a silver medal at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey. It was the team's best ever result in international competition. Prior to his election as TBF President he also served as a TBF Board Member and Vice President. He was elected to the FIBA Europe Board on May 17, 2014.
 
“I’ve devoted my life to basketball and had success as both a player and manager,” Erdenay said. “I look forward to working with the entire Turkish basketball family and our friends around the world to strengthen our sport at home and abroad.” 
 
Erdenay became TBF President on March 30 with the full support of the TBF Board after FIBA Europe President Demirel stepped down from the position following 23 years of service.