By Eurohoops Team/ info@eurohoops.net
The next edition of One Team Games will combine with Round 29 of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season and Round 16 of the 7DAYS EuroCup.
Euroleague Basketball confirmed more details on the project enhancing this week’s action on Monday.
Per the press release: “After originally postponing them due to the tragic earthquake that struck Turkiye and neighboring countries, the One Team Games will take place during every Round 29 game in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and every Round 16 game in the 7DAYS EuroCup this week to shine a light on the work that all 38 Euroleague Basketball clubs have done and continue to do through their community-based One Team programs.
From Tuesday through Friday, the entire One Team family will come together as ambassadors, coaches, players, legends and staff members to raise the visibility of programs that, thanks to the clubs, support thousands across the continent who are at risk of social exclusion.
Moreover, this week also marks the long-awaited return of the One Team participants themselves to the courts for a week of celebrations after their absence from the last two editions of One Team Games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to all Round 29 EuroLeague and Round 16 EuroCup tipoffs, a One Team participant will present the game ball. At halftime, more One Team participants will take part in on-court activities and have the opportunity to be recognized by the local crowds. Then, before the second half starts, they will be joined by the One Team Ambassadors from both teams for a picture together at midcourt.
“To have our entire family of participants, clubs, ambassadors and partners finally back together for One Team Games this week is something to be very proud of because each one of them deserves our heartfelt recognition,” Roser Queralto, Chief Business Officer of Euroleague Basketball, said. “The clubs’ efforts deliver important gains to at-risk members of our communities and bring long-lasting smiles to countless participants, season after season.”
Fans in the arenas and viewers at home will also see special #WeAreAllOneTeam stickers on all courts. Turkish Airlines and 7DAYS, the naming partners of the EuroLeague and the EuroCup, respectively, actively support the One Team Games and have worked with the One Team program to place the #WeAreAllOneTeam logo on the court for this special occasion.
“As a One Team Ambassador, I am proud to stand alongside the participants of One Team and the dedicated program managers who are making special things happen in cities all across Europe,” Olympiacos Piraeus player Sasha Vezenkov said. “I share the court with a lot of stars, but these are the stars I will love seeing back in the spotlight where they belong this week.”
The same hashtag, #WeAreAllOneTeam, will be getting plenty of support on digital platforms this week, too, as ambassadors, players, clubs and fans are all encouraged to participate in the One Team Games through digital activations and to show support and raise awareness about the program by using a special filter created for their accounts.
“Spending quality time with the participants is something I cherish about my experience as a One Team Ambassador,” Petar Popovic of Buducnost VOLI Podgorica said. “I can’t wait to see so many of them around the continent get recognition during the One Team Games. They show us through their enthusiasm how sports can change lives for the better.”
Fans everywhere can get involved in supporting One Team by playing two digital mini-games developed for the occasion and available from Tuesday through Friday. The first, a quiz, tests your knowledge about One Team, while the second offers a different online One Team memory game daily throughout the week and includes One Team Ambassadors from each of the 38 teams. Participation in the games comes with the chance to win an official jersey from a EuroLeague or EuroCup team. Be sure to play!
Those looking to show support for One Team from home can purchase #WeAreAllOneTeam T-shirts from the EuroLeague Store, with all royalties going towards future One Team endeavors.
One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve real social impact in our communities. With an innovative model of interconnectedness across an entire continent, Euroleague Basketball and its clubs have developed a complete CSR program that brings together activities from each team in an integrated, impactful way, working under the theme of “community integration” that actively addresses targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities.”
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net