PANAMA — The Boys and Girls Panamanian Basketball Foundation was established in 2014 with a mini basketball project at Barrio de la Calle P, called Sociedad Deportiva Estudiantes, as a sports development program for underprivileged children in this community in Panama. Everything began with the idea of incorporating a greater population of Panamanian children that dream of playing basketball, but whose environment doesn’t provide the facilities to do so.

“We took on the task of bringing the sport to the community: with no funds, counting only on collaborators to use the facilities where the children could experience healthy conditions to develop, learn and spend time with each other. This turns basketball into a tool that positively focuses on personal growth and keeps them away from danger in their communities,” expressed Julio Bermúdez, Director of the Boys and Girls Panamanian Basketball Foundation.

The Panamanian Basketball Foundation (FEPABA), through their president, Jair Peralta, are now joining the project because they believe in it and wish to — within their possibilities — strengthen and support its different needs. This has significantly allowed them to expand the activities throughout the rest of the Panama Republic and invite children from all over the country to several projects such as the 2015 and 2016 Panama Canal Cup, and the recent 2018 Friendship Cup and the 2018 Christmas Cup.

Jair Peralta assured that, starting this year, FEPABA is newly focused on the development of youth, strengthened by the previous mini basketball activities that have had the support of the Federation, such as the Friendship Cup.

“Mini basketball is a main pillar to FEPABA’s development. We're aware that it implies an important effort and collective commitment. We need to work and strengthen the future of basketball's structure, and the youth that play in schools and communities also need to feel involved in the activities and projects that benefit their personal and sports development,” stated the directive.

In its 2018 edition, the Friendship Cup welcomed around 500 children from the whole country, who competed in the U-10 and U-12 categories in single-sex divisions, and included the participation of Costa Rica, Panama, and the Jewish-Panamanian community.

“This year we've added participation categories by birth year and we hope to receive confirmation from the different countries of the continent and their teams to organize a friendship basketball festival, as well as a cultural exchange program —which should be the most important aspect of the entire cup,” said Julio Bermúdez.

Like this, children’s basketball grows day after day in the Central American country. “I'm confident that the basketball family will participate actively, that together we can foster youth sports and that, under the FIBA guidelines, we can set forth the development of mini basketball in Panama,” added Peralta.

He also commented: “We're going out to seek, to get to know, and to learn about these children’s world, who with a basketball in hand and outside of the gyms, have a dream like everyone else. As the son of someone who played in the Panama national team and who’s a reference of our sports history throughout generations, I know how influential sports can be and the power it has over your personal development when you're a child. (I know) how it brings families together in harmonious and fun activities and fosters values and leadership. But, above all, how it has the potential of creating friends, laughter and joy. That's the life experience I wish for Panamanian mini basketball and it's just an example of what led me to fight for my dreams and to continue working.”

FIBA