MIES (Switzerland) - During the FIBA Open, the annual grassroots 3x3 basketball tournament organized by the FIBA Foundation around the FIBA headquarters, a team from the association 'WhatSport’ composed partially of migrants, took part in the festivities.

The FIBA Open aims to be an inclusive event and give everyone a place to play and discover basketball. This year, the project 'Republic of Sports' of the association 'WhatSport' was invited to the event. The association aims to use sport as a catalyst for integration for migrants in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland. They believe sport allows migrants to mix with the local population, to learn French, to find apprenticeships and more.

Several initiatives have resulted from this project such as sports initiations, volunteer projects, and multi-sport camps where young people discover several sports but also receive education on nutrition, mental health and first aid.  They are also the point of contact between migrants and clubs to facilitate their inclusion in clubs of the region.  

The 'WhatSport' team participating in the FIBA Open was composed of 2 young beneficiaries of the association. The first one, Nyla, is a young migrant from Sri Lanka. She discovered basketball during a camp and really enjoyed the sport and hopes to join a club in the region. The FIBA Open was the first time she played a basketball game.

Joining her team was Munkthal from Mongolia. Munkthal played basketball in Mongolia and has been missing it, he would also like to join a club in Switzerland. 

The team was completed by Mattia Piffaretti, former Swiss top level basketball player and president of the association WhatSport and Ismael N’Diaye, former player of the Côte d’Ivoire National Team, regional manager within the local establishment welcoming migrants (EVAM) and and volunteer of the association.

The team took part in the tournament in the family category which allows teams to play without constraints of age or gender and in a spirit of fun and camaraderie.

The team won 3 games out of 4 in the group phase and reached the quarter finals. They won it smoothly and then played a hard-fought semi-final which they lost on the buzzer against the Dubs team who would go on to win the family category.

"After three years in Switzerland, this is the first time I've played basketball again, I'm happy to be able to play games," said Munkthal.

"I think it's a great event, I'm having a lot of fun" said Nyla.

Both athletes enjoyed the event greatly and were even more eager to join a basketball team. ‘WhatSport’ is working with Nyla and Munkthal to help them integrate local basketball clubs.

The team's participation in the FIBA Open is in line with the 'Basketball For Good' mission of the FIBA Foundation. The Foundation's goal is the same as the association's, to use sport to create positive change in communities.

This year, the FIBA Open also included two teams made up of Special Olympics athletes who also competed in the family category.

For the 2022 edition of the FIBA Open, which is shaping up to be bigger than ever, the Foundation will again work with WhatSport and Special Olympics to bring their athletes but will also create a Wheelchair basketball category to be even more inclusive.

The FIBA Open 2022 will take place on 18/19 June and will coincide with the 90-year anniversary of FIBA. Don't miss it!