SAITAMA, Japan, Aug 29 - Australian Bob Elphinston was elected president of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) on Tuesday.

Elphinston, 64, manager of the Australian men's team at the 1984 Olympics and general manager of the Sydney Olympics 2000 Bid Company, replaces outgoing president Carl Men Ky Ching of China.

"Basketball is at an exciting level as the second most played team sport in the world today behind football," said Elphinston, who will serve a four-year term until 2010. "My role as president gives me the chance to directly assist a great sport grow even more.

"FIBA looks forward to an exciting Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008, increased commercial opportunities and player development with the emphasis of furthering developing strong leagues in all 212 member federations."

The world governing body also announced on Tuesday it had added a 213th member federation, welcoming Montenegro into the FIBA family.

Montenegro, which recently voted for independence, participated in this year's world championship in Japan as defending champions Serbia & Montenegro.

"I feel great about this decision by FIBA, it is wonderful for Montenegrin basketball," president of the Basketball Federation of Montenegro Danilo Mitrovic said.