COSTA RICA – The Federation inaugurated a project titled Escuelas Integrales de Iniciación Deportiva (Comprehensive Sports Schools) in Batán, a town in the Costa Rican province of Limón. The ceremony was attended by the nation's President, Carlos Alvarado Quesada; as well as by the Minister of Youth, Patricia Vega Herrera. Representing the Costa Rican Basketball Federation was its president, Álvaro Calvo.

The Sports Schools strive to reach indigenous and disadvantaged communities, where the opportunities of practicing any sports are limited; which is why this project aims to give this opportunity to children of the ages of 6 to 12, as well as adolescents from 13 to 17 years of age.

The project is a partnership of the Costa Rican Sports and Recreation Institute (ICODER, for its Spanish acronym) and the National Youth Institute (PANI), along with 14 federations with which FECOBA joins forces so that basketball becomes a part of this great initiative.

President Alvarado stated that this project seeks to build these skills among children and adolescents, as well as self-confidence, teamwork, tolerance and other fundamental values brought about by sports and prevention work. He also pointed out the importance of sports in daily life and promoting healthy lifestyles.

“We are presenting the Comprehensive Sports Schools program. This effort includes more than 3,000 girls and boys in our country that passionately experience sports. Basketball is a beautiful team work, it requires a lot of energy and space. Basketball is not only the capability, it requires intelligence and strategy. It's a contact sport, but it’s also respectful; it’s a sport were children will learn a lot,” added Quesada.

The practice of basketball will be bolstered in the indigenous areas of Bribrí and Conte-Burica Ngäbe, as in the zones of Batán, Siquirres, Chacarita; and in Barranca in the province of Puntarenas; and in Upala, in the province of Alajuela.

The fundamental objective is to create spaces that promote social movement to achieve a wholistic education for minors, using sports as an instrument.

Like this, the commitment of the Costa Rican Basketball Federation is reaffirmed — it fosters socioeconomic progress in the regions and sports as a channel to help new generations with an inclusive program that spearheads the Federation’s motto of “Juntos somos más (Together we are more).”

“Taking basketball to our whole country has turned into our goal. The support of authorities, and our Federation's credibility, will benefit our children and youth. We expect 3,000 children to participate in this program. Let the ball bounce off joy,” said FECOBA President, Álvaro Calvo, para FIBA.com.

FIBA