FIBA Foundation Youth Leaders and IOC Young Leaders create connections

MIES (Switzerland) – FIBA Foundation Youth Leaders and IOC Young Leaders gathered virtually today to create connections between the youths of the two programs.

Both programs believe that, given the tools and the right platform, young people have the power to create positive change in their communities through sport.

The virtual discussion allowed the youths to exchange and share their inspirations and motivations. Two participants from each group presented their respective programs as well as their experience and hopes.

IOC Young Leader Omar Bassyouni from Egypt said “I want to create social inclusion and help people with disabilities become active members in society, give them a space to play sport, create impact and change their lives through sport”.

Chin Wan Qing (Chick) from Singapore is one of the Foundation’s Youth Leaders, she explained “I’m grateful to be in this program and be able to be inspired by like-minded people. I hope to give more opportunities for girls in Singapore to play and express themselves.”

Following the presentations, Eric Mitchell and Paulina Fritz who are both IOC Young Leader alumni shared their inspirational experiences as Young Leaders and participants in the One Young World summit.

Paulina, who is the link between both programs as she is also part of the current global FIBA Foundation’s Youth Leadership project gave valuable advice to all participants. “Take your chances, make the most out of your own journeys and share your passions”, she said.

The youths were also given space to interact and think of ways to further the collaboration between both programs.

Some of the ideas included:
• connecting on the basis of sports or countries the leaders come from,
• further collaboration through specific program elements (i.e. joining each other’s sessions when relevant) or even
• organization of joint events when the vision and objectives are complimentary.

FIBA Foundation Project Manager Theren Bullock Jr. said “this session proved that our goals are very much aligned. I look forward to seeing how we can further collaborate and support the youth leaders to develop and strengthen the social impact of their projects”.

Ana-Marija Garcevic, Head of Activities of Olympic Games Engagement concluded the session. “I’m glad both programs were able to have this discussion and interact. I hope we will be able to stay connected as we are all trying to make a better world through sport”, she said.

About Youth Leadership:

The FIBA Foundation’s Youth Leadership program is a global Basketball For Good initiative giving youths the skills and opportunities to create a brighter future for themselves and their communities. This program teaches leadership and life skills through 3x3 basketball. The Youth Leaders are supported to create their own community impact project, growing the Basketball For Good family worldwide. Please contact us if you want to know more about our programs or if you are interested to work with us.