Monaco Basket Association founder wins French federation medal
By Steven T. Jackson OBE, MonacoViews Editorial
Éric Elena, founder and co-president of the Monaco Basket Association, received the gold medal of the French Basketball Federation at its general assembly in Lyon.
Éric Elena, who founded the Monaco Basket Association and now serves as its co-president, has been awarded the gold medal of the Fédération Française de Basket-ball. The honour was presented at the federation's general assembly in Lyon, recognising his long-standing work developing basketball in the Principality.
Elena described the medal as recognition of work accomplished, a nod to years spent building up grassroots basketball structures in Monaco outside the professional Roca Team setup. The Monaco Basket Association has focused on youth development and community participation, giving residents and young players in the Principality a route into the sport beyond elite level.
For Monaco's sporting community, the award underlines the strength of basketball's roots here, from club level through to the AS Monaco Basket side competing in France's top division. It also reflects well on the Principality's standing within French basketball governance, where Monaco-based figures continue to play an active role.