Basketball Federation amends statutes and approves vote of praise for Ticha Penicheiro

The Portuguese Basketball Federation (FPB) approved yesterday the adaptation of the statutes to the legislation, in a General Assembly, and the vote of praise for the former player Ticha Penicheiro, in both cases unanimously, the second accompanied by acclamation.

In a statement, the FPB reported the unanimous approval of this statutory amendment, which, according to the call for the general meeting, aimed to amend the statutes, to “improve and align the text with the legal norms in force”.

According to the FPB, the issue at hand was the recommendation of the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth, within the scope of the administrative procedure for renewing the status of Public Sporting Utility.

Also approved, unanimously, but also with acclaim from the delegates, was the vote of praise proposed by the Porto Basketball Association to Ticha Penicheiro, for his entry into the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) hall of fame.

The most renowned Portuguese basketball player of all time, who ended her career in 2012, will join this 'gallery' of 'stars' of the sport from Sunday onwards.

The former basketball player, from Figueira da Foz, was named on a FIBA ​​list in January, along with Pau Gasol (Spain) and fellow women Dawn Staley (United States) and Leonor Borrell (Cuba).

At the ceremony scheduled for next Sunday, in Bahrain, Ticha Penicheiro will be the first Portuguese to receive this “historical recognition from FIBA”, FPB noted at the time.

In the North American Women's League (WNBA), which she won in 2005, Ticha Penicheiro wore the jerseys of the Sacramento Monarchs, LA Sparks and Chicago Fire, always with the number 21, and was elected as one of the 15 best players of all time in the WNBA in 2011.

It was while playing for the Sacramento Monarchs that Ticha became a champion, and throughout her career she was a four-time All-Star, twice an All-WNBA First Team selection, an All-Defensive First Team selection, and a seven-time assists leader in the championship.

In 2016, she was one of the athletes chosen to be part of the WNBA's 20 best athletes, who celebrated the 20th anniversary of the competition's creation.

Her assists record in WNBA history lasted until 2017, when she was considered the leader with 1,121 assists completed.

In between, he also played for several European teams, namely Spartak Moscow, USK Prague, Galatasaray, TTT Riga, Vallencienes, Ekaterinburg, Gdynia and Lavezzini Parma.