Around 400 guests, including representatives of FIBA's member national federations across five zones and members of the 2013 Class of the FIBA Hall of Fame gathered for the event, which also fell on the federation's 81st birthday.

Both Rogge and Maurer paid tribute to the high standard of the new CHF 35 million (£24 million/$38 million/€28 million) headquarters, as well as the potential benefits that basketball and Switzerland as a whole could see from the facility.

"I am convinced that this state-of-the-art facility will send a clear signal in the area of economic development," said Maurer.

" FIBA's decision to build its headquarters here serves as proof that this region - and Switzerland as a whole - is steady, reliable and central.

"As President of the Swiss Confederation and as Minister for Sports, this confidence pleases me."

The reception at the new FIBA House of Basketball headquarters, which were officially inaugurated today

Rogge added: "I am delighted to participate in the inauguration of the House of Basketball today.

"The new headquarters represent the spirit of FIBA: solid, universal and dynamic.

"I was particularly impressed by the innovative design of the building shaped like a hand and also designed to look like a basketball net.

"With the close proximity of Mies to Lausanne [the Olympic capital], we look forward to continuing our strong collaboration."

The new FIBA House of Basketball headquarters were unveiled today in Mies

FIBA President Yvan Mainini spoke of how the new headquarters, which are built on an 8,500 square metre plot and have views of Lake Geneva and the Alps, are open to sport lovers worldwide, and how the new building will help shape the future of the sport, as well as allow the past to be celebrated.

"The House of Basketball is more than just FIBA's headquarters," he said.

"It is a home for all basketball lovers around the world.

"The cultural heritage and history of our sport now has a safe place to be preserved and promoted."

FIBA Secretary General and IOC Member Patrick Baumann explained how the design of the building encapsulates the values that FIBA holds as a federation.

"The hand shape of the House of Basketball reflects a key element of our sport, as well as a symbol of team spirit and unity," he said.

"In Mies, FIBA's identity becomes part of the landscape.

"This building represents our sport organisation, while the woven net structure that sustains it represents all its member federations.

"It is an investment in the future of our sport."

A ceremony to enshrine the 2013 FIBA Hall of Fame inductees, who include Australian star Andrew Gaze and former Canada coach John "Jack" Donohue, is due to take place at the House of Basketball tomorrow.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
May 2013: Basketball icons set to be inducted into FIBA Hall of Fame
April 2013: FIBA move into new headquarters at the House of Basketball
December 2010: Work begins on Switzerland's £20 million "house of basketball"