PECS (Hungary) - The European basketball community gathered in Pecs, Hungary for the 2022 edition of the FIBA Mini-Basketball Convention, which for the first time also featured a coaching course.

Organized by FIBA Europe and the FIBA Foundation, the event was hosted by the Hungarian national federation at the Ratgeber Academy in Pecs from June 9-12 with Maurizio Cremonini, Prof. Dr. Sergio Lara Bercial and Assistant Prof. Dr. Nenad Trunic as the three presenters.

64 participants from across the European National Federations including a record number of females took part. One of the aims of the project to promote basketball for the age groups 5 to 12 years old.

Both theory and practical sessions took place across the weekend as well as an interactive workshop led by  the FIBA Foundation, which strengthens the Basketball For Good Movement in Europe by linking the UN's Sustainable Development Goals to Mini Basketball.

"Growing the game of basketball is one of the key strategic pillars for FIBA and events like this have an important role to play in laying a steady foundation for the future of our sport," said Kamil Novak, FIBA Executive Director Europe.

"We are also very pleased to see a record number of female participants this year, which is another indication that our efforts of making basketball as inclusive as possible for everyone are paying off."

The event also featured a Mini Basketball festival on Saturday, with 200 U12 girls participating and receiving their own t-shirts and Molten basketballs. 

FIBA Foundation President Horacio Muratore stated "we are very happy to see such enthusiasm for Mini Basketball and look forward to seeing National Federations incorporating Basketball For Good mindset within their Mini Basketball activities. The Mini Basketball movement is growing worldwide with similar conventions planned in the different regions, creating a global Mini Basketball movement."

About Mini Basketball:

The FIBA Foundation’s Mini Basketball program is a global Basketball For Good initiative to improve health and well-being of 5-12 year old children and to fight physical inactivity and childhood obesity. It is an inclusive grassroots basketball movement addressed to girls and boys and their parents and uses fun & game based learning.

FIBA