FIBA calls on basketball community to drive social change

Source: Xinhua| 2020-06-14 09:53:47|Editor: huaxia

GENEVA, June 13 (Xinhua) -- FIBA condemned all forms of discrimination while calling on the basketball community to be a part of social change in president Hamane Niang's open letter on behalf of the organization's Executive Committee.

"Since my first day as FIBA president, I feel a burning desire to help FIBA inspire a more unified global basketball community," Niang wrote in the letter's opening section.

"We are sport, yes, but basketball is much more than that. It is a source of hope, a source of friendship and most importantly a source of equality."

"Basketball is a sport built on the values of togetherness, progression, openness and responsibility. As the organization responsible for the development and long-term health of our sport, FIBA must act as a role model for the whole basketball community," the letter continued.

In the letter, FIBA expressed its unequivocal condemnation towards all forms of discrimination.

"There is no place for this in basketball, in sport, or in any aspect of society," the organization declared. "Our statutes are clear in expressing zero tolerance towards racism and FIBA will always fight discrimination of any kind."

"That is why today I am asking you, the basketball community, to be a part of the change," the letter read. Enditem

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