BEIRUT (Lebanon) - FIBA Regional Office Asia’s Ball’In Schools program continued expanding its impact throughout the continent with 8-day program in Amman in September (8-15).

Ball'In Schools is a grassroots basketball development project that aims to help plant the seeds of love for the game of basketball at a young age, especially in schools. In previous years, Ball'In Schools programs were held in Bhutan, Laos, and Oman, which were well-received in each respective country. Earlier this year, Ball'In Schools was also organized in Saudi Arabia, Maldives, Palestine, and Qatar.

The program addresses the current and common challenges that slow down the development of basketball, such as the insufficient presence of the sport in schools; the absence of age groups competitions and tournaments, or the low quality of basketball infrastructure and limited accessibility. Ball'In Schools does so by empowering local ambassadors with a program to push for basketball in schools. These programs are trained by experts selected by the FIBA Regional Office Asia, where the ambassadors use what they've learned and take the initiative further to introduce or raise awareness.

Nabeel Abu Ata, Jordan Basketball Federation (JBF) Secretary General, said: "It was refreshing to witness the interactivity and engagement level among our participating coaches. This enthusiasm witnessed that was lived during the course will certainly be reflected in the school basketball courts. We are all excited to see the results in school teams." 

Fu’ad Al-Ghezzawi was among one of the 20 coaches that participated from all over the kingdom over the two consecutive programs that were held in the week. 

“Important and necessary matters for training were communicated, in addition to practical lectures at the Prince Hamzah Hall,” said Al-Ghezzawi.

The idea behind Ball'In Schools is the empowerment of local ambassadors to have a self-sustainable grassroots development program. Having more players and increasing the demand for basketball on its own should be the driver of the program to lead to long-term growth of basketball.

FIBA