THE December 21st it will always be different from today and in the future. And that, why basketball becomes the first sport in the world to have its own official day during the year.
The decision was taken by United Nations General Assembly which took place in August, so December 21, the day that in 1891 the Dr James Naismith discovered basketball in Springfield, Massachusetts is established worldwide as the official day of basketball.
“We are extremely proud of the establishment of World Basketball Day and very grateful to the UN and other partner organizations that continue to recognize the positive role that basketball plays for millions of different people living around the world“, said the Secretary General of FIBA, Andreas Zaglis and added:
“The fact that basketball is the first team sport to receive such recognition is a clear testament and endorsement of the enormous social benefits it offers, as well as the limitless possibilities that exist in using Basketball For Good».
The Director-General of the United Nations in Geneva, Tatiana Valovaya, said: “Aligning perfectly with our 2030 agenda, basketball acts as a powerful agent to promote sustainable development. It’s not just a game, but a platform that changes perceptions, challenges prejudices and unites communities around the world. Sport’s ability to bring people from different backgrounds and cultures together, speaking a universal language of unity and inclusion, is truly remarkable.».
To mark and celebrate the now established World Basketball Day, FIBA ​​is organizing a series of activities including a special event at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball for UN officials and partner organizations in Geneva, as well as guests from the International Olympic Committee ( IOC), the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) and YMCA representatives.
The FIBA ​​Foundation is also using the first World Basketball Day to launch its annual photo contest. This year’s theme is ‘Basketball for Good’, with more details on the competition available here.
A special social wall on fiba.basketball has been created where all #WorldBasketballDay posts will be displayed to mark the special occasion.
Meanwhile, each National Federation has also been invited to play its part so the global FIBA ​​family will work together to make World Basketball Day as memorable as possible.
Source: Sport Fm
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