Rocinha (BRAZIL) – Led by Youth Leader and Basketball For Good Advisory Committee member Layana de Souza, Brazilian association Mudando O Placar hosted a Basketball For Good 3x3 basketball tournament with her community. The bustling Rocinha Sports Complex came alive on November 10 as Mudando O Placar, led by Layana de Souza, hosted an inspiring 3x3 basketball tournament celebrating the transformative impact of sports on communities.
With a focus on empowering youth, the event brought together 81 kids in 21 teams split into the under-13 and under-16 categories – resulting in 40 games played. A highlight of the event was its strong emphasis on promoting gender equality. Layana shared that her original vision was to ensure an equal balance of participation between girls and boys. Remarkably, the tournament exceeded expectations, with a higher number of girls taking part in the games. Adding to the empowering atmosphere, attendees at the event had access to an inspiring book on sports and the importance of a harassment-free environment, published by a relevant group of women in Brazil. This thoughtful inclusion underscored the event's commitment to fostering both equality and safety in sports.
Thanks to Layana and her team’s dedication, every child played for free and received snack kits to keep their energy up throughout the event. Coaches were also recognized for their efforts in fostering community growth through basketball, with Molten basketballs gifted as a token of appreciation. Layana’s initiative was supported by 5 local basketball social projects and notable figures in Brazilian basketball. Chico Chagas, the 3x3 Manager of the Brazilian Basketball Federation, provided invaluable mentorship, while international 3x3 referee Ewaldo Ramos facilitated the presence of skilled referees to ensure the games ran smoothly.
The tournament wasn’t just about competition—it highlighted safety and care, with an athletic trainer on-site to assist injured players. The day ended not only with winners but with a renewed sense of hope, showing how basketball can bring communities together, spark dreams, and inspire change. Through this event, Layana Souza proved that basketball is more than a game—it's a tool for positive transformation. *** The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports 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.