Gold Coast (Australia) - The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) is celebrated on April 6 annually and is a strong reminder of the inspiration sport can provide to the world.

According to olympic.org the IDSDP "is an annual celebration of the power of sport to drive social change, community development and to foster peace and understanding."

With the COVID-19 crisis derailing everyday lives, sport can be one of the tools to give us optimism and courage for the future.

FIBA is joining the #WhiteCardCampaign to send a message of solidarity in these challenging times and asked several National Federation members on how basketball has encouraged the development and peace in their communities.

Photo: #WhiteCard campaign featuring members of the National Federation Members in Oceania.

Check out their thoughts and insights below.

Karo Lelai, FIBA Central Board Member and Acting President of Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea

PNG has a growing youth population that is posing a challenge for society due to insufficient spaces in schools and lack of employment for the unskilled labor force. In highly populated urban areas, our basketball programs have contributed to a drop in petty crime and improved community spirit.

Jubilee Kuartei, FIBA Oceania Board Member and Secretary-General of Palau Basketball Federation:

PBF for the past 20 years has been using the sport to strengthen both Physical and Character & Attitude Development through the various programs in the schools and community. Our major partners are all the Government ministries, State Governments, Business Sector and Community Volunteers. Because of the consistency of the programs.. it has reduced fights and incidents in the community and has created peace and friendships amongst all involved.

Laisaia Puamau, Chief Operating Officer of Basketball Fiji

Our "Hoops for Health" program uses basketball as a vehicle to educate participants on the importance of healthy living and active participation.
Under our H4H programs, we have the IamGirl program, a gender-equality program focused on promoting anti-bullying in schools.
Homes of Hope is an organization that provides a safe place for children and young mothers. Once a month the H4H team provides young mothers who are victims of social abuse with an opportunity to participate in active sport, feel safe and empowered through the sport.

Nick Daroa, Chief Executive Officer of Basketball Federation of Papua New Guinea

Basketball ranks among the top tier sports and has a great following in PNG. The sport has broken down social barriers in communities and locations where Law & Order problems exist. With the IBF's Basketball 4 Good and AusAid funded programs like Hoops for Health, Mum's a Hero, Pikinini Hoops and Twighlight, we continue to witness a positive trend towards the Development and Peace in our Communities by teaching, coaching and guiding up and coming leaders in the sport. We value the people we serve and always strive to have a positive impact in their lives, "We are saving lives".

Talalei Pauga, President of the Samoa Basketball Federation

With the success of Pacific Games 2019 - basketball is starting to bring people of different ages and different backgrounds together. People start to see the fun and excitement Basketball brings and especially it's a very safe sport. We have a government basketball court built next to the main bus stop in Apia and people of different ages, different levels and backgrounds play there, some people walk four to five miles just to play there in the evening.

Furthermore, I see the Church of Jesus Christ who seems are the only place to have courts in all parts of Samoa allow anyone to play basketball in those courts despite their religions and faith.

I see basketball in Samoa as a tool to eliminate differences and struggles among people of all ages and it brings them together as friends, brothers, and sisters of sports.

Deborah Shoniber, Secretary-General of Marshall Islands Basketball Federation

It brings people together for organized competition, giving youth and adults a positive outlet for their energy while engaging friends and fans. Basketball teaching and coaching pass many skills onto the younger generation, including sportsmanship and rules that govern participation in the sport.

Thierry Durand, President of Région Fédérale de Nouvelle Calédonie de Basketball

Basketball is a collective discipline that brings together people from all social and ethnic backgrounds. This contributes to the culture mix and is a vehicule of solidarity. I consider basketball as a neutral sport, no religious or cultural affiliation. It's a fun activity that requires the development of a team spirit.

Through this sport, we can promote respect and the contribution it makes to the empowerment of women, young people and communities. And now the 3x3 can be used in a development context. It's cheaper, requiring less equipment and fewer players.

Joel Khalu, General Manager Mackay Basketball NBL1 North Program and former BFPNG Chief Executive Officer

The Twilight Basketball program in Port Moresby demonstrated an outstanding way in which sport can positively break down barriers to develop peace. Twilight Basketball brought people of different socio-economic classes together in an environment that promoted inclusion and respect. Each week players of all ages and backgrounds would join together with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and Australian Federal Police to play basketball harmoniously. This harmony then transitioned away from the court and into local communities.

FIBA