ORGANISATION

The DIBF is structured to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective management. Its governance is defined through key documents and tools that guide operations and decision-making, including:

General Statutes – the foundation of the federation’s principles
Internal Regulations – rules and procedures for daily operations
Structure – the organisational framework
Management – leadership and oversight of activities
Organisational Chart – visual representation of roles and responsibilities
Linear Organisational Schedule – outlining workflow and processes

Restorative Yoga

Restorative yoga focuses on holding passive poses for extended periods, promoting relaxation and reducing stress by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system.
Duration: 45 minutes

Download this document DIBF General Statutes

Barre Fusion

This class is held in a barre fusion style, integrating ballet-inspired movements, Pilates, and strength training to sculpt and tone muscles, emphasizing flexibility and balance.
Duration: 1 hour

DIBF Governance

The DIBF General Statutes and Internal Regulations serve as the foundation of DIBF’s mission and define the institutional structures and bodies required to achieve it.

Over the years, these structures have undergone multiple changes and adjustments to ensure a governance system that adapts to the realities of basketball and the wider global sporting and political environment. However, the core principles and structures—first established when DIBF was founded in 2002—remain in place to this very day.

A key element of this framework is placing DIBF’s core membership—the National Deaf Sports Federations and National Deaf Basketball Associations—at the very heart of the sport’s governance. Collectively, and with equal voting rights, these members form DIBF’s supreme authority: the DIBF Congress.

Thus, directly or indirectly, all persons, structures, and decisions of DIBF are accountable to, and dependent upon, the National Deaf Sports Federations and National Deaf Basketball Associations. This includes entities that are central to DIBF’s activities:

DIBF Central Board
DIBF Zones
DIBF Commissions

Through these governance structures, DIBF ensures transparency, democracy, and equal representation, strengthening its mission to develop and promote deaf basketball worldwide.

Download this document DIBF Structures

The DIBF Management Team is responsible for carrying out the day-to-day operations of the federation and ensuring the effective implementation of policies and decisions made by the DIBF Congress and the DIBF Central Board.

Its role is to manage the administrative, technical, and organizational tasks that keep DIBF functioning smoothly. This includes:

Coordinating international deaf basketball competitions, tournaments, and events
Supporting the activities of the Central Board, Zones, and Commissions
Overseeing communication with member federations and associations
Managing financial, logistical, and operational matters of the federation
Implementing development programs for players, coaches, referees, and officials
Ensuring compliance with DIBF’s General Statutes, Internal Regulations, and WADA Anti-Doping Rules

The Management Team acts as the link between DIBF leadership and its members, turning strategic decisions into practical actions and supporting the growth of deaf basketball worldwide.

Download this document DIBF Management Team 2023-2027

The DIBF Organisation Chart is a visual layout of the federation’s structure, showing how its affiliates, members, and governing bodies cooperate and interact through appropriate channels. It highlights the flow of communication, collaboration, and authority within DIBF.

The chart also reflects DIBF’s affiliations with major international sporting organisations such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD), and the Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA), demonstrating its integration within the global sports community.

Through this structure, the Organisation Chart ensures clarity, transparency, and unity in how DIBF and its members work together to develop and promote deaf basketball worldwide.

Download this document DIBF Organisation Chart

DIBF Congress (Every 4 Years)
Members:

All countries approved for financial membership in DIBF.

Tasks:

Review and treatment of proposals
Establishment and approval of the 4-year strategic plan
Election of the Central Board

The Congress is the supreme authority of DIBF, ensuring democratic representation of all member federations.

DIBF Executive Committee (EC)

Members:

All members elected at the DIBF Congress.

Ioannis Stoufis, President
James DeStefano, Secretary General
Yaakov Keren, Treasurer
Dario Pignataro, Board Member
Touria Ouahid-Boren, Board Member

Tasks:

Supervising functions, programs, and events
Cooperation with FIBA
Cooperation with ICSD/Deaflympics
Cooperation with ICSD’s regional confederations
Appointment of members to DIBF committees and commissions
General management of DIBF activities

The Executive Committee ensures that the decisions of the Congress are implemented and that international partnerships are maintained effectively.

DIBF Central Board (CB)

Members:

Ioannis Stoufis, President
James DeStefano, Secretary General
Yaakov Keren, Treasurer
Dario Pignataro, Board Member
Touria Ouahid-Boren, Board Member
Tom Okiki Ndede, Zone Africa
Kevin Smith, Zone Americas
Paul Batten, Zone Asia-Pacific
Tommaso Graziosi, Zone Europe

Tasks:

Oversight of office and administration management
Management of funding, sponsorships, and finances
Direction of operational activities
Development and implementation of the 4-year strategic plan

The Central Board functions as the executive and decision-making body between Congress meetings.

General Directions to the Committees

Committees may work independently through correspondence and meetings.
Each year, Committees must prepare an annual activity plan and present it to the Central Board for approval.
All Committee decisions must be submitted to the Central Board for approval before implementation.

This structure ensures accountability, transparency, and alignment between DIBF’s strategic goals and the work of its Committees.