Cyprus Basketball Federation

The Cyprus Basketball Federation ( ΚΟΚ-Κυπριακή Ομοσπονδία Καλαθόσφαιρας, Turkish: Kıbrıs Basketbol Federasyonu) is the governing body for basketball on the island of Cyprus and is a division of the Cyprus Sport Organisation (ΚΟΑ-Κυπριακός Οργανισμός Αθλητισμού). It was established in 1966 and became a full member of FIBA in 1974.

It is responsible for representing Cyprus on the international stage and for running the national teams that represent Cyprus at all levels.

Currently it runs:

• two national men’s leagues:

Division 1 (9 teams)

Division 2 (14 teams)

• The yearly Cypriot Basketball Cup (that employs a knockout format)

• The yearly Cyprus Super Cup (Champion vs Cup Winner game)

• One national Women’s League (7 teams)

History of Basketball in Cyprus

Cyprus has a total population of around 800,000 most of whom follow the sport of basketball. In terms of popularity and spectator following, basketball only comes second to football.

The history of basketball in Cyprus can be roughly categorized into 3 periods (1966 to 1974, 1974 to 1988 and 1988 to today). Up to and including 1974 the most successful teams on the island were Digenis Morphou and PAEEK. As a direct result of the Turkish invasion both teams were expelled from their home towns; an event which had obvious catastrophic consequences.

The immediate aftermath of the invasion was a period of economic suffering for all aspects of...
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