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British Wheelchair Basketball join the international wheelchair basketball community in mourning the immense loss of IWBF Secretary General Norbert Kucera.

Norbert was a dedicated, hard-working individual who devoted over 35 years of his life to the sport, fighting hard for opportunities for everyone involved in wheelchair basketball. His journey began as a TO in 1987, then officiating at Seoul 1988. He would go on to serve as Chairman of the World Technical Commission before assuming his role as IWBF Secretary General in 2018 til present.

IWBF President Ulf Mehrens said:
“Norbert’s impact on wheelchair basketball went far beyond his role; he was a guiding force, always striving to elevate the sport and support those around him. He played a key role in modernising our sport’s structures, ensuring its growth, and strengthening its place within the Paralympic movement. His legacy will live on through the generations of athletes, referees, and administrators who continue to benefit from his vision and leadership. For all that he has given to wheelchair basketball, IWBF will forever be grateful. While we mourn his passing, we also honour the incredible legacy he leaves behind.”

BWB CEO Justine Baynes said in tribute:
“Norbert WAS wheelchair basketball. His passion and love for the sport shone through and he gave a huge part of his life to it. He was incredibly kind to me when I joined BWB and has been an immense source of support, for which I will always be grateful. On behalf of everyone at BWB, I send our love and thoughts to his family and friends – we will all miss him.”

Read IWBF’s statement: https://www.iwbf.org/news/iwbf-mourns-passing-of-iwbf-secretary-general-norbert-kucera

Photo credit: IWBF