NOEL KEATING yesterday announced his intention to retire from his position as chief executive of the Irish Basketball Association when the current season draws to a close at the end of April.

Formerly a primary school principal, Keating joined the National Executive of the IBA in 1972 before rising to become PRO in 1979, president in 1980 and chief executive in 1983. In recent years he oversaw the construction of the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght. He served as assistant chef de mission with the Irish Olympic team at the Barcelona Games in 1992 as well being a member of the Cospoir executive.

He departs to establish a consultancy specialising in sports fundraising and sponsorship and will stay on as an adviser to the association.