MIES - FIBA's Foundation, the International Basketball Foundation (IBF) has launched a worldwide initiative by giving a new momentum to Mini Basketball. Basketball for 5-12-year-old girls and boys plays a crucial role in attracting children to our sport. At that age kids often have their first contact with sport and particularly team sport.

FIBA President Horacio Muratore added "Mini Basketball is extremely important for the future of our sport. Through this initiative, we will be able to embrace the power of our sport and what it can do for development".

FIBA, through its foundation, wishes to invest in this movement and in the future by promoting and stimulating playful grassroots basketball for 5 – 12-year-old of both gender while using basketball for good activities for kids and parents adjusted to local needs. We wish to support and create local structures (teachers, school programs, festivals).

In collaboration with FIBA Regional Offices, the IBF is launching a sports activity with an educational initiative (Symposium) at least once per year in each region (Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceania). Through the international symposium we will exchange with experts of the region as an exchange of best practice and for a better global coordination. We also hope to ensure legacy of the project and to stimulate the movement in countries that have had few activities so far.

In 2018, these mini basketball activities will take place in:

• Portugal: 1-3 June
• Australia: 22-25 September
• Mexico: TBA
• Morocco: 16-18 November
• Sri Lanka: 13-15 December

The new Mini Basketball momentum and identity will be launched this week-end in Matosinhos, Portugal. FIBA Europe and the Portugese Basketball Federation, with the support of the IBF are organising a 3-day event where 1’200 5 to 12-year-old children will come together to play in a tournament. The Symposium will bring together representatives of European Federations, trainers and coordinators to learn about mini basketball specific training and how to best engage that age category.

Turgay Demirel, president of FIBA Europ stated, "It is at grassroots level that the foundation is laid for any sport, and we are proud of the commitment shown by our federations towards the development of new talent. Europe continues to set the benchmark for depth in youth basketball, as we extend our reach outside of traditional basketball breeding grounds. Matosinhos has hosted various European youth championships in the past years and I am confident that the organizers will deliver another extraordinary event and set the right tone for all mini-basketball activities worldwide".