CASABLANCA (Morocco) – Multiple success stories can be seen and felt all around the globe thanks to the 2023 Propose a Project initiatives, United Maroc is just one of them.  

United Maroc was created in 2018 by a group of passionate young basketball enthusiasts who wanted to use this sport to promote social inclusion in Africa. The project is based in Morrocco and is also active in Senegal, Gabon, and Tunisia. The project received funding from the FIBA Foundation as a part of the 2023 Propose a Project applications.

The project uses basketball and games officiating, as tools to help underprivileged youth develop essential skills such as self-confidence, communication, and teamwork. It also provides them with a safe space to socialize and learn new things.

The Founder, Najib Chajiddine is an international 3x3 referee, and a 2020-2024 IOC Young Leader which has allowed him to develop and lead sports-based social projects, attend workshops and seminars on sport, leadership, and social entrepreneurship, represent the IOC Young Leader program at events and conferences, and have a good network with other young leaders from around the world who share their passion for sport and social change. Much like FIBA Foundation Youth Leaders globally. Through his work with IOC Young Leaders Program, Najib came to learn of the opportunity of the Propose a Project Platform, and this is how he came to apply.

“By using basketball as a tool for education and development, we can help young people flourish and become responsible and active citizens”.

The financial grant and 100 basketballs received from the FIBA Foundation's Propose a Project initiative have positively impacted United Maroc. The project now has 1,300 participants enrolled in all their programs and 34 volunteers and coaches. They have also organized several successful tournaments and training camps, and they have reached a wider audience thanks to this support. The primary social developmental goals for the program are SDG4: Quality Education, SDG5: Gender Equality, and SDG 10: Reduced Inequality which Najib emphasized are important for the community of underprivileged youth who lack opportunities and have difficulty accessing sports facilities and paying participation fees.

"United 3x3 for Good" is also an initiative that the team was able to kickstart in 2023 thanks to the funds and assistance. These were used for the rental of additional facilities, and promoting the project to more participants just to name a few.

The most significant lesson I learned from running a social project is the importance of adaptability and flexibility. Social projects often deal with complex challenges and unforeseen circumstances, and the ability to adjust plans and approach problems in new ways is crucial to success.

 The future goals of the program include reaching 3,000 participants and 100 volunteer coaches by the end of 2025 and becoming the pioneer of basketball academies and officiating schools in Africa.

For Najib, and the United Maroc family, Basketball For Good represents the transformative power of sport to empower youth, foster inclusivity, and promote social change. It's about using basketball as a tool to equip young people with essential life skills, build a sense of belonging, and create a more just and equitable world.

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About FIBA Foundation: 

The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports and particularly basketball in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage. 

The FIBA Foundation believes that basketball has the power to empower, educate and inspire youth and facilitates this by implementing Basketball For Good projects around the world.