UACJ Hosts ABE National Ordinary Congress 2026: A Future for Student Basketball
Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico, June 1 – The Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez (UACJ) became the host of the National Ordinary Congress of the Student Basketball Association of Mexico (ABE) 2026, starting on June 1st. The event, marked by the warmth of its people and institutional commitment, brought together representatives from 130 institutions across the country to define the future of Mexico’s most important university basketball league.
The congress, held in Macroaula I and II of the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IIT), commenced with an opening ceremony led by Emilio Álvarez Frangié, general director of ABE. He was accompanied by Luis Enrique Ríos, general secretary, and Luis Alejandro Ortiz from CETYS University, Tijuana campus, technical secretary. Álvarez Frangié expressed gratitude for the trust placed by the institutions since his tenure began in January and acknowledged the travel challenges faced by some attendees.
“The important thing is that you are already here. I am convinced that we will have an excellent congress. We have reviewed various topics that we will be sharing today and tomorrow, derived from your concerns, proposals, and the areas of opportunity we have identified within the Association,” stated Álvarez Frangié. He also praised the hospitality of Ciudad Juárez and thanked Dr. René Ramos Tamez, Director of Sports at UACJ, for the facilities provided.
Dr. Ramos Tamez, representing Dr. Daniel Alberto Constandse Cortez, rector of UACJ, emphasized the formative value of university basketball. “The ABE League has consolidated itself as a national benchmark thanks to collective effort, teamwork, and the conviction that university sports transform lives. This congress is a space for encounter, dialogue, and collaboration.”
Regional Balance and Ambitious Agenda
According to documents distributed during the congress, ABE currently boasts a national reach with conferences distributed as follows:
- Bajío-Occidente Conference: 9 women’s teams and 19 men’s teams.
- Centro-Oriente Conference: 17 women’s teams and 21 men’s teams.
- Norte Conference: 8 women’s teams and 8 men’s teams.
- Sureste Conference: 2 men’s teams (women’s pending consolidation).
The agenda included strategic points such as the report of the 2025-26 season, the appointment of missing members in the Governing Council, Technical Council, and various commissions (Honor and Justice, Arbitration and Training), as well as statistical management in collaboration with Genius Sports.
A highly anticipated segment was the presentation of ABE projects, which ranged from a new Regulatory and Regulations Commission, an ABE Management Model, a coach training program for the 2026-27 season, to the commercialization of sports properties and a communication project for the regular season and national championships.
Commitment to Arbitration and Regulation
Central to the discussions was the ABE Arbitration Evaluation and Monitoring Model for the 2026-27 season. This topic generated significant dialogue among attendees and was presented as a key tool to enhance the quality and transparency of games. Furthermore, the assembly will discuss and, if appropriate, approve reforms and additions to the Competition and Sanctions Regulations, aiming to provide the league with a clearer and updated regulatory framework.
By the end of the first day, the atmosphere reflected the conviction that Mexican student basketball is growing not only in team numbers but also in institutional strength. As Dr. Ramos stated, “This meeting has a special meaning: it is an opportunity to listen to each other, learn from each other, and renew the commitment to continue growing together, being part of something bigger.”
The congress concludes on Tuesday, June 2nd, ahead of the start of activities for the National Council of Sports Education (CONDDE) and the National University Sports Commission of Private Institutions (CONADEIP), promising a more professional, inclusive, and forward-looking ABE.
Source: https://comunica.uacj.mx/01-06-2026/100798
