ISTANBUL - The Turkish Basketball Federation (TBF) have successfully welcomed over 200 children and 100 coaches from 87 different FIBA nations for a week of basketball learning and a cultural exchange.

The camp, which is part of the TBF's social responsibility project, 'Pass It On' has witnessed young athletes and coaches coming from all corners of the globe, including Uruguay, China, Swaziland, and India.

There have also been 55 Turkish children in attendance, part of TBF's on-going celebration of its 55th anniversary.

The festivities tipped-off on Monday with an evening of entertainment featuring acrobatic dunkers, inline skaters and a dance programme. On Tuesday, the young basketball players got down to business and worked with the international team of coaches TBF has assembled in Istanbul for the camp.

"The coaches are from around the world and come from different systems of basketball," explained Moldovan coach Dmitri Pravdiuk.

"You can see the differences between countries close to one another, like Moldova, Russia, and Serbia.

"It is important to work together as coaches to continue to improve international basketball."

For young players like Matteo Lagana from Italy, the opportunity to work with experienced coaches has already impacted his game.

"I have already done some basketball training here at the camp, and I'm very happy because it works well because of some great coaches," revealed Lagana.

"I have never had an experience like this one and I'm happy that I was chosen."

The coaches and players were also treated to a historic Istanbul tour, visiting the Hagia Sofia and Topkapi Palace. During the same evening, they attended 'TBF House' for the inauguration of the 'Pass It On Garden', which will serve as an enduring symbol of the event.

"For me, it's wonderful," said Cansu Sani, one of the camp's Turkish participants.

"It's great to do something together with other athletes coming from other countries."

Meanwhile, Taya Rai Hanson from Canada, shared Sani's enthusiasm for the garden element of the project.

"It's so much fun meeting kids from other countries - we're planting a memory."

During the ceremony, the young hoopsters were given an address by TBF President Turgay Demirel and 'Pass It On' ambassadors Necati Guler and Sukran Albayrak - both former national team players.

"It's a very, very special thing to be a basketball player," said Albayrak, now one of Turkey's leading sports broadcasters.

"While playing basketball there are many important things we learn and those things stay with you throughout your life.

"They are things that make you amazingly happy and bring you success."

The camp attendees then proceeded to the Abdi Ipekci Arena for an exhibition game between Turkey and Spain, as both teams continue their preparations for the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

The camp finale will see the players showcase their respective skills with a 3x3 tournament at Besiktas Square alongside the Bosphorus.

Both TBF mascots, Bascat and Miau will be  attendance, along with the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women trophy which is making stops across Turkey in the lead up to the tournament which starts next month.

FIBA