Together with Lothar Bösing (Vice-President), Wolfgang Brenscheidt (General Secretary) and Heinz Schoenwolf (Managing Director), the President of the German Basketball Federation Ingo Weiss received a four-member delegation from Rhine-Ruhr 2025, consisting of Sina Diekmann (Chief Sports Officer), Benjamin Sahel (Team Lead Sports Düsseldorf), Anita Hartung (Sports Manager Basketball) and Lena Landgraf (Sports Manager 3x3 Basketball/3x3 Wheelchair Basketball). Diekmann's team presented the current state of planning in the three disciplines. Many ideas and strategic approaches were discussed as a basis for a successful partnership.
Chief Sports Officer Sina Diekmann. © FISU
Basketball events to become a highlight
"The FISU and the DBB are setting the course for an outstanding event. We will work together intensively to make the FISU World University Games 2025 basketball events a highlight. We are very much looking forward to further cooperation with the project team for 5v5 and 3x3," said DBB President Ingo Weiss.
The organising committee was also very satisfied with the exchange. "We are very pleased with the positive and constructive dialogue with the DBB officials. This kind of support from the leading associations is particularly valuable for us in terms of planning and subsequent implementation. We are convinced that, together with the DBB, we can create a special event in the sports of basketball, 3x3 basketball and 3x3 wheelchair basketball for around 600 athletes taking part in these disciplines - and also create euphoria and enthusiasm for the event as a whole. Our entire team is looking forward to continuing to work together," said CSO Sina Diekmann.
A match scene from the FISU World University Games 2019 in Naples from the game between Ukraine and the USA. © FISU
Basketball: competition venues in Düsseldorf and Essen
The classic version of basketball will be played in the summer of 2025 at various venues in Düsseldorf and Essen. 16 teams will take part in the men's and women's competitions. In 3x3 basketball, a relatively new sport that made its Olympic debut in Tokyo in 2021, 16 nations will also be represented in both competitions. 3x3 basketball will be played at the Arena-Sportpark in Düsseldorf, as will the wheelchair version, which will feature eight teams. The inclusion of 3x3 wheelchair basketball will also mark the first time that Para Sport will be played at the FISU World University Games Summer.
PSD BANK DOME. © D.LIVE
DBB faces important milestones
The Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games are another important milestone for the DBB to continue the success and growth of the federation. After winning the World Cup title in the Philippines, the national team was voted Team of the Year in Germany. The women's national team could also take part in the Olympic Games in Paris for the first time. One year after the FISU World University Games, the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup will take place in Germany.