BERLIN (Germany) – In the run-up to the 2026 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, Basketball for Good has taken center stage yet again.
Following a four-day Female Youth Leadership workshop from April 18 to 21, 19 youth leaders immediately went to work, implementing the Mascot Education Program in a girls' clinic that combined fun basketball drills with important gender empowerment messaging.
Mascot Bearlina
100 girls aged 8 to 12 from across local educational establishments converged at the Grundschule Luisenstadt elementary school in Berlin on April 21
Multiple playing stations were set up, each with their own distinct intent and purpose of featuring Mascot Bearlina as the "learning hero".
Dribbling games taught resilience and strength to break free from gender stereotypes. Passing games encouraged peer bonding and teamwork, while innovative shooting games familiarized participants with the countries that will be competing in the global showpiece.
Hall of Famers show up in support
Adding luster to proceedings was the presence of 2026 FIBA Hall of Fame inductees and German national team stars.
Hometown hero Dirk Nowitzki was swarmed by wide-eyed young girls keen to shake his hands, while legendary American point guard Sue Bird autographed photos of herself in the USA jersey. The likes of Hidayet Türkoğlu, Wang Zhizhi, Céline Dumerc, and Clarisse Machanguana were also welcomed with equal fervor and excitement, besides 2025 Hall of Famer Ticha Penicheiro.
Beyond the glittering lineup of Hall of Famers, the girls also had the opportunity to interact with German 3x3 Olympic gold medallists Svenja Brunckhorst and Sonja Greinacher, as well as national team and ALBA Berlin Players Alina Hartmann and Nina Rosemeyer.
The engagement was made possible in collaboration with ALBA Berlin and the German Basketball Federation. "The Basketball For Good clinic for young girls was an absolute highlight for us at ALBA Berlin. You could see the huge smiles on the faces of the girls when the Hall of Famers entered the court, but also the connection with the local heroes and ambassadors," Svenja Brunckhorst said.
Speaking on the gender empowerment aspect of the session, Ms Brunckhorst noted:
"I think that was a perfect teamplay of the women's basketball community coming together and showcasing what they stand for: creating spaces and opportunities for young girls at an early stage for participation and empowerment. I think we can be very happy about how this partnership came to life."
The next target is for the 19 Female Youth Leaders to spread the Mascot Education Program across Germany, spreading the love and joy for the game within their respective communities.
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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