FIBA Asia Mini-basketball Convention in Colombo
The FIBA Asia Mini Basketball Convention was held in Colombo from December 14 to 15, 2018 with the participation of over 750 children and 97 delegates and coaches from 22 countries in the Asian region. The event was organised by Sri Lanka Basketball Federation (SLBF) and the Sri Lanka Schools Basketball Association (SLSBA) under the patronage of the International Basketball Foundation (IBF) which is responsible for popularising the game globally.
The Mini Basketball Convention was held under three main events. The first was a Jamboree gathering more than 750 players of both genders under the age of 12, from selected schools countrywide. They all mustered at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium, showing their passion for basketball and their eagerness to play and have fun. The full day event was conducted engaging young players with fun and activities to develop skills. Each participant was issued a Molten Basketball, a T-shirt, a participation certificate and a souvenir booklet sponsored by the IBF and the local sponsors that of the Bank of Ceylon, the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka and Papare.com.
“We believe that the event gave kids a lasting impression to engage in a great sport and make it a part of their life,” exclaimed Sanath Jayalath, President, Sri Lanka School Basketball Association and Vicepresident, Sri Lanka Basketball Federation.
In addition, the IBF’S “Basketball for Good” initiative was introduced. Dr.himan de Silva, an Olympic Physician, explained how important it is to keep the environment clean. He also emphasised how playing basketball leads to a healthy and organised life.
The second event was the interactive coaches’ clinic session conducted at the Kothalawela Defence University with the participation of over 30 local coaches and 20 coaches from Asian countries. This session was conducted by Dr Sergio Lara-bercial, at Leeds Beckett University & International Council for Coaching Excellence and Fadi Sabbah, leader in Mini Basketball for over 20 years. The aim was to present the idea and philosophy of game-based learning in Mini Basketball, on how to get kids engaged in training and make them love the game at a young age. The on-court session included exercises demonstrated by a team of local young players in addition to the active participation of the international delegates and national coaches in instructive team building activities. (SP)