BEIJING (China) - FIBA and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 on Thursday launched the Children's Calligraphy and Drawing Project, a campaign to help spread the basketball culture, carry the game's spirit forward and enhance the influence of the first-ever World Cup in China.

The initiative is targeted at children between the ages of 6 and 12 from across China, who are invited to use their imagination and creativity to come up with and submit their designs under the theme 'Depicting China with calligraphy and painting works, and create a Basketball World'. 

Participants have until July 15 to submit their designs. Thereafter, the entries will evaluated with China's general public helping to select a first shortlist. A panel of experts will then select winners, whose works will be exhibited in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Houses across the eight host cities, from August 5-31.

The project's unveiling was held at the Shijia Primary School in Beijing. The children present for the special event depicted the scene of the launch through hand painting, sketching and ink painting.

The presentation of the Children's Calligraphy and Drawing Project took place in conjunction with the launch ceremony of the China Mini Basketball League 2019, a national basketball tournament for children sponsored by the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).

Mini basketball plays an important role in the development and growth of the game and is important for its future.

Since last year, through the International Basketball Foundation (IBF), FIBA has increased its investment, commitment and activities in the mini basketball movement, which is dedicated to attracting children between the ages of 5 and 12, when they have their first contact with sport and particularly team sport.

Yao Ming, FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 global ambassador and CBA Chairman, was on hand to witness the two launches, and was depicted in one of the works of art.

FIBA