Youth Leader in Focus - Sylvania Amor

GOLD Coast (Australia) - FIBA Youth Leaders from across Oceania are gathering in New Zealand this weekend at the culmination of the leadership program.

One of those youth leaders, Sylvania Amor from Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) dreams of achieving social change through basketball, saying the opportunities are endless.

“Basketball for Good can, and will, benefit development in many areas here in Pohnpei,” Amor said.  “The opportunities through basketball for our youth to grow physically, mentally, and socially is enormous.  I believe it will encourage our adult population to also get involved with sport to assist with positively impacting the lives of the of the younger Pohnpei population.”

Born in Pohnpei, Amor moved to Hawaii where her love of sport was nourished in a country where English was the first language, but her native tongue was Pohnpeian.  Sport was a way for her to communicate, grow, and settle into a new country.  Amor went on to play college basketball in Texas before injuries ended her career and she moved to Guam to continue her education.  In 2018, she participated in her first Micronesian Games - playing basketball.

Now living in Pohnpei, Amor has an appreciation for the role sport plays in shaping the lives of everyone within the community.

“Living in Hawaii, I learnt a few things that I think will be applicable in Pohnpei,” Amor said.  “I think if we start training programs at a younger age, with a focus on developing and providing opportunities for the community, in particular females, we will be able to increase basketball participation and social development.  For me, helping build a strong community of youth leaders who are all striving for one goal, is something I am eager to contribute to.”

The FIBA Oceania Youth Leader Program concludes this weekend in Auckland, New Zealand with participants attending an in-person workshop featuring guest speakers, Annie La Fleur, Byron Vaetoe, Inoke Niubalavu and Sarah Cowley.

## About FIBA 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.  The Youth Leaders are supported to create their own community impact project, growing the Basketball for Good family worldwide.

FIBA

*Image - Sylvania Amor is pictured on the far left