By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Supported by FIBA Europe and Euroleague Basketball’s social programme One Team, the aim of Special Olympics European Basketball Week is to expand opportunities across Europe for adults and children with intellectual disabilities. 19,000 players – with and without intellectual disabilities – from 35 countries – will take part in 250 basketball events over the course of the week. The focus of this year’s event is mini-basketball, 3×3 competition, as well as Unified basketball, which joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team to promote social inclusion.
Speaking in support of the week-long event, Special Olympics Global Ambassador and NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo paid tribute to all of the players and organisers, describing the event as a “demonstration of inclusion and acceptance.”
In an exclusive video message, the former New York Knicks player said: “I want to give a shout-out to all the ball players taking part in Special Olympics European Basketball Week. This event is a celebration of the power of basketball. A statement that everyone has the right to play on the same court.
“All over Europe players will demonstrate the values of inclusion and acceptance. Players with and without intellectual disabilities. And I’m so proud to support them. Let’s all Play Unified together,” he said.
FIBA Europe and Euroleague Basketball’s One Team initiative, along with 25 national basketball federations and 60 professional clubs across Europe, are also supporting European Basketball Week.
Next month, Euroleague Basketball is celebrating the One Team Games during all matches of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague ROUND 13 (8 GAMES) and the ROUND 9 of 7DAYS EuroCup (12 GAMES) on December 19th & 20th. Special Olympics athletes have been invited to also join this One Team celebration as part of the One Team Games initiative.
European Basketball Week is part of Special Olympics’ on-going commitment to increase its number of basketball players in Europe to 70,000 by 2020. A second objective is to grow the numbers of youth and female players over the coming four years. There are currently almost 59,000 Special Olympics basketball players, some 19,000 plus of whom are female. They are supported by almost 3,000 coaches.
Kamil Novak, FIBA Executive Director Europe, said European Basketball Week represented a true “celebration” of basketball. “FIBA Europe is thrilled to support this year’s Special Olympics European Basketball Week once again! I see this event as a celebration of basketball in Europe, the accessibility of basketball for everyone and a demonstration of inclusion. These are the same values that FIBA prescribe to. It also excites me to see the commitment of the Special Olympics community to embrace Mini-basketball and 3×3 basketball, which is rapidly transforming the basketball landscape, by opening the basketball community to even more players.”
Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague Basketball President and CEO, said his organization was proud to support #EBW2017 for another year: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Special Olympics in spreading the message of integration through basketball with our One Team Games involving all our 40 teams.
“At Euroleague Basketball, we celebrate the ongoing social work that our teams are doing in their communities through our social programme; One Team. Special Olympics uses the power of sport to empower inclusion in communities and this is a message that we fully embrace. Together, we are making an important and positive change in the lives of many.”
Special Olympics Europe Eurasia President and Managing Director, David Evangelista said European Basketball Week owed its ongoing success to the widespread support it receives: “European Basketball Week is back for the 14th consecutive year. Its remarkable success is made possible by the commitment shown by our programme leaders, partners, Euroleague Basketball and its One Team Programme, FIBA Europe – and most importantly the dedication of our athletes. This year, we will focus our efforts on expanding 3×3 basketball, promoting Mini-Basketball and highlighting our inclusive platform – the Play Unified initiative. Let’s bring together basketball fans all over Europe to empower European Basketball Week – and our athletes – and take it to the next level!”
For more details on Special Olympics please visit specialolympics.org