LOUTRAKI (Greece) - Friday brought one of the most memorable moments of the FIBA Masters Open 2026, as local teenagers with mental disabilities were invited to the Loutraki venue to watch the action and then take to the floor themselves.
The activity, delivered by the Hellenic Basketball Federation and hosted by the FIBA Masters Open 2026 with the support of the FIBA Foundation, saw the teenagers first watch a game before joining a play session on the court. It created a fun and memorable experience, giving both the young participants, the Masters players and coaches a valuable moment of interaction and inclusion.
The initiative reflected one of the broader objectives of the FIBA Masters Open 2026: promoting inclusion through basketball. By welcoming young people with disabilities onto the court alongside Masters players, the event demonstrated that basketball is a game for everyone. Regardless of age, experience or ability, the sport has a unique capacity to bring people together and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate, connect and feel part of the basketball community.
The activity was attended by FIBA Secretary-General Andreas Zagklis, FIBA Central Board member Asterios Zois, and Vaggelis Liolios, President of the Hellenic Basketball Federation, underlining the importance placed on the initiative by both FIBA and the host federation.
Young participants from KDAP AMEA Korinthou (Special Education and Creative Activities Center), a Basketball For Good initiative dedicated to the creative development, social inclusion, and wellbeing of young people with disabilities, were invited to play a friendly game with FIBA Masters Open participants in Loutraki.
"One of the best things about the FIBA Masters Open was the activities that happened off the court. There was lots of interaction and social activity, but the FIBA Foundation event took this to a new level. We are so lucky to be able to play this sport as we get older. Yet I found myself feeling humbled and honoured to be able to participate and encourage these young people who have just not been as fortunate as we have. That's the beauty of Masters Basketball. Not only does it keep us fit and active, but it brings us together in ways that we could never have imagined," said Ned Coten, FIBA Masters Open player. "The local participants were wonderful young people and very quickly became engaged with the coaches and the Masters players that attended."
Visitors and participants who attended the session helped make it another moment to celebrate during this first-ever FIBA Masters Open, one that will stay with everyone who was part of it.
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About the FIBA Foundation
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.