STOCKHOLM - The Swedish Basketball Federation are at the forefront of encouraging integration through sport, including a special project which has welcomed refugees into the country.

The integration initiative entitled "Welcome Here" which is targeted primarily at unaccompanied refugee children age 14 to 17 years old, has proven invaluable to those who are new to Sweden and is at the heart of the Federation's work in fostering diversity and tolerance within Swedish society.

All Swedish basketball clubs were invited to apply for participation in the project and 20 clubs were selected to start in April 2015. The top criteria was the number of unaccompanied refugee children expected to arrive in their geographical area, and the stability of the club's organisation.

· 15 refugee young adults have participated in a special Leadership course that was created for the target group

· Hundreds of the members in the 20 clubs have in various degrees, been engaged in activities together with the unaccompanied refugee children

· Media coverage was obtained in over 50 newspapers, as well as national radio and television with great exposure through social media and podcasts

· The message has been spread through thousands of sold 'Välkommen hit' (welcome here) bracelets

· The initiative has reached politicians with a 3x3 basketball game between two Swedish cabinet members and refugee children

· They arranged a 3x3 junior tournament in 11 cities on the same day (June 18 2016 and June 19 2017) as a celebration for the love of the sport no matter where people come from

· Several national team players have taken an active part in the project locally

· It has strengthened the association between basketball and tolerance and inclusion

FIBA Board member and Sweden Federation President, Lena Wallin-Kantzy added: "We have made a film to showcase our work after the outcome of some research showed Swedish basketball is outstanding among other sports in Sweden when it comes to: integration and equality between sexes. It gives everyone, regardless of their social or economic background, a possibility."

Some of the outcomes were secured through a range of different activities. These included at Nassjo Basket, a men's team in the highest Swedish Basketball division who helped a group of boys from Afghanistan set up a cricket field and club, they teach children how to ride a bike, and every Saturday evening teenagers from Afghanistan, Syria and Sweden come together and play football in the basketball gym.

Alvik Basket offers basketball practice once a week, and every Tuesday, parents with children playing for the club come to the refugee group home helping the unaccompanied children with their homework.

Elsewhere, Swedish national team player Kadidja Andersson is responsible for a local project in Sallen Basket. Every Friday she has been holding a well frequented basketball practice for unaccompanied refugee children.

FIBA