After Grigas Scandal, Lithuanian Basketball Association Plans Safer-Sport Measures

The Lithuanian Basketball Association says it will respond to the FIBA Disciplinary Commission's decision in the Rimantas Grigas case with a plan to strengthen safety across the sport.

The association will present the plan to its executive committee next week, along with the case findings, the decision and FIBA's recommendations. The proposed measures are intended to prevent similar situations, improve responses to unethical conduct by coaches, and provide training for team staff and basketball players.

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I regret that our investigation could not use every available means to ensure the players' rights, safety and privacy.

Tomas Jasevičius, who chaired the EDAK commission that conducted the initial investigation, said an anonymous questionnaire for basketball players had not revealed circumstances later presented to FIBA officials during confidential live video interviews. He said the difference in the scope of the investigations affected their findings. "I regret that our investigation could not use every available means to ensure the players' rights, safety and privacy," he said.

The article says FIBA's disciplinary commission spent more than a year and a half on the investigation and relied on experience and practices that have not yet become standard in Lithuania or Lithuanian sport. FIBA's regulations also allow significantly stricter sanctions and decisions in such cases.

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FIBA's findings will be treated very seriously and implemented unconditionally.

Association president Mindaugas Balčiūnas said the findings would be treated seriously and implemented without conditions. "I regret the earlier assessment of the situation and the experiences suffered by the basketball players," he said, adding that the plan would seek to prevent similar situations or ensure they are identified and addressed quickly.

The planned measures include expanding awareness of the association's integrity officer, who serves as FIBA's direct contact on integrity and safe-sport issues. The association also plans to establish a clear, secure and confidential reporting route, define how complaints will be assessed, and propose tougher responsibility for harassment and psychological misconduct in its ethics and disciplinary code.

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I regret the earlier assessment of the situation and the experiences suffered by the basketball players.