AMBON (Indonesia) – Continuing to grow their previous Basketball For Good (BB4G) activities, the Indonesian Basketball Federation (PERBASI) successfully held their fifth program, this time in Maluku province.
The initiative introduced basketball to nearly 500 children, besides local elementary school teachers and coaches.
Fifth City in Indonesia
Indonesia has been steadily expanding the reach of Basketball For Good across its many islands from east to west.
The latest three-day clinic, from January 13 to 15 at Karang Panjang Sport Hall, builds on FIBA Indonesia’s earlier efforts in West Sumbawa.
Children aged 10 and 11 participated in fun basketball sessions inspired by the Basketball For Good Playbook developed by the FIBA Foundation. The goal is to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle in a light yet engaging fashion.
Cross-networking
265 boys and 214 girls took part in various sessions designed to develop both physical skills and personal character.
This edition stood out for its cross-networking and knowledge exchange among participants by inviting five coaches from local basketball clubs to join the activities.
Meanwhile, the 17 teachers who joined in hailed from 16 schools across Ambon city.
“We, the sports teachers, feel greatly helped by FIBA's activities. Many children are deeply entertained by these activities, and through them, we teachers have gained new material and new lessons to share with our students,” Genix Singerin, PE Teacher of SDN 3 Ambon, said.
Reaching Remote Regions
The positive response highlighted the need for more such outreaches in regions where structured sporting opportunities remain limited.
“My hope, and that of the Indonesia Basketball Association for Maluku Province, is that in the future, the FIBA Indonesia Basketball for Good event will not only be held in Ambon city but will also be implemented in many other regencies and remote areas of Maluku Province,” Mr Rikfy Latuconsina, General Secretary of Indonesia Basketball Association Maluku Province, said.
“These children will learn how basketball can be fun and not monotonous. This way, they can apply it to the lessons they learn at school,” M. Stenie Jonfri, a local coach from Ambon, concluded with optimism.
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The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports and particularly basketball in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage.
The FIBA Foundation believes that basketball has the power to empower, educate and inspire youth and facilitates this by implementing Basketball For Good projects around the world.
FIBA