Euroleague dedicated the 20 basketball games which took place in 24 cities across Europe from November 11th to November 26th to Special Olympics under the slogan ‘Basketball For Everyone’. Euroleague basketball clubs, players, coaches and referees all actively played their part. Euroleague players wore t-shirts promoting Special Olympics while the home team captain addressed fans before each opening tip-off promoting respect, acceptance and inclusion for players with intellectual disabilities.
Special Olympics will also be present through a series of special events at Euroleague Basketball's signature event, the Final Four, in Paris from May 7 to 9, 2010.
According to Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague Basketball CEO “One of our principal goals is ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of basketball. That is why this season we are dedicating all our efforts to raise awareness and support the Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia movement, from which we all have many things to learn”.
From November 28 to December 6, Special Olympics celebrated the 2009 European Basketball Week with the endorsement from Euroleague Basketball as well as support from FIBA Europe.
Special Olympics Basketball Week is one of the highlights of the year-round event calendar and is part of Special Olympics ongoing commitment to increase the number of registered basketball players in Europe to 56,000 by 2011 as well as recruit 300 more volunteer coaches. More than 200 activities took place across European cities and towns including local and national tournaments, clinics with professional coaches and players, invitationals to watch Euroleague Basketball games as well as coaching seminars.
Euroleague Basketball’s support of Special Olympics is part of its Social Responsibility Programme, Euroleague for Life. Euroleague for Life is dedicated to use the popularity and visibility of Euroleague teams, players and league to support those who truly need it. It is Euroleague’s call to action and a way for every one to improve someone’s life.
For more information on Euroleague Basketball visit www.euroleague.net
For more information on Euroleague for Life visit www.euroleagueforlife.net