YEREVAN (Armenia) – Continuity can provide relief during displacement. Taking part in regular, known activities reconnects people with familiar patterns and counters disorder - even if only temporarily. These moments of relief combat the uncertainty of being unanchored from everyday life.
Following the 2023 escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh, more than 100,000 people were displaced and sought refuge in Armenia, leaving behind their homes, communities, and daily routines.
Young people from Nagorno-Karabakh are now spread across Yerevan and various regions of Armenia. Beyond losing their homes and interruptions in education, there is also limited access to sports facilities and equipment for children.
Restart Through Basketball: Support for Nagorno-Karabakh Players is a Basketball for Good project that ensures these young girls and boys in Armenia can continue with structured basketball training and continue to build their personal and athletic lives while being displaced within the country - something to rely on in an uncertain environment.
SECURING SOLIDARITY
The Basketball Federation of Armenia created Restart Through Basketball: Support for Nagorno-Karabakh Players to identify displaced young basketball players from Nagorno-Karabakh and provide them with access to secure facilities, training, and equipment - and an overall sense of stability despite their unpredictable circumstances.
Local schools and community centers supported the team in finding participants and offered access to facilities. Professional coaches and mental health specialists contributed their time and expertise at training sessions to advance individual resilience and cultivate impact beyond the court.
MAINTAINING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT & RENEWED ATTITUDE
Approximately 100 displaced boys and girls, ages 10-18 from Nagorno-Karabakh, participated in training sessions and project activities. 300 additional community members, including family members, volunteers and coaches, were able to take part in various tournaments, events and outreach activities as well - capitalizing on the influence of basketball as a tool to facilitate community inclusion.
The objectives on the court were met. Training attendance targets were reached. The young hoopers did not miss a beat in their skills development - some players even returned to regular competitions and played for teams in Armenian Championships as members of local teams.
Armenian Senior League Players and National Team players and coaches participated in the training sessions, shared their experiences and stepped up as role models for the young athletes. Their presence kept the players motivated and fostered an even deeper sense of belonging in the basketball community.
The combination of these efforts helped strengthen confidence, discipline, and were an avenue for socializing and reinforcing solidarity between the young athletes and their fellow community members - advancing overall social well-being.
REVIVING A LOST PASSION
One 14-year old boy from Nagorno-Karabakh was no longer able to play basketball and lost access to his local club and teammates after being displaced. After joining the project and working with the coaches, he not only overcame initial struggles with confidence and motivation, but his revived enthusiasm and discipline in practice led to improvements as a player and even to the Armenian Championship as a member of one of the local teams. Through this process, he slowly began to feel part of something again. He found comfort in the rhythm of training, rebuilt trust in others, and regained a sense of stability.
PRESERVING ACCESS TO BASKETBALL & CONNECTION
The Restart Through Basketball initiative showcased the importance of continuity for displaced populations and how consistent basketball activities can help create stability and instill confidence and motivation for displaced girls and boys. The FIBA Foundation is excited to support the purpose-driven Basketball Federation of Armenia as they look to build on existing program strengths and capabilities and carry out this dedicated mission to preserve engagement in basketball.
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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.