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Korver, Okur to Participate in Basketball Without Borders
Basketball without Borders 2008 will take place for the first time in New Delhi, India and will return to Istanbul, Turkey and Johannesburg, South Africa, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) announced today. The NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program unites elite young basketball players to promote the sport and encourages positive social change in the areas of education, health and wellness in local communities. Utah Jazz players Kyle Korver (New Delhi) and Mehmet Okur (Istanbul) are each scheduled to participate in Basketball without Borders events this summer. “The NBA and its players are afforded a unique opportunity to use basketball as a forum and stress the values of our game to influence social change,” said NBA Commissioner David Stern. “Each Basketball without Borders camp unites a diverse group of people to initiate a global dialogue on important issues such as healthy living, education and HIV/AIDS awareness.” For the first time since 2002, Basketball without Borders Europe will return to Istanbul, Turkey at Darüssafaka Tesisleri, Ayhan Sahenk Spor Salonu June 4-7. Basketball without Borders Asia, will be the NBA’s first-ever event in India and will take place at the American Embassy School of New Delhi July 3-6. As it has since 2003, Johannesburg, South Africa will host Basketball without Borders Africa at the American International School of Johannesburg Sept. 3 -7. BWB marketing partners include American Airlines, DHL, EA SPORTS, Nike, Spalding, South African Airways, Tata Consultancy Services and Turk Telekom. “FIBA is very satisfied with its long-term collaboration with the NBA. Basketball without Borders is an invaluable educational, social and health-awareness tool for all youth, where they also showcase their skills and learn from some of the best coaches and players,” said FIBA Secretary General and IOC member Patrick Baumann. “We are pleased to be going to India for the first time, where Basketball without Borders will be able to further a growing interest in basketball.” Before traveling to South Africa, the BWB Africa contingent of players and coaches will conduct a basketball camp in Dakar, Senegal in support of Sports for Education and Economic Development (SEEDS). Based in Senegal, the academy was founded by Amadou Gallo Fall, a BWB Africa camp director since 2003, and Dallas Mavericks director of scouting and vice-president of international affairs. In addition, Jennifer Azzi, former WNBA All-Star and Olympic Gold Medalist will join the coaching staff in Africa, becoming the first woman to participate in Basketball without Borders in that capacity. Selected by the NBA, FIBA and participating federations, basketball players (ages 19 & under) will unite on each continent to take part in basketball instruction and competition. To promote friendship and diversity, the campers will train as teams without regard to race, religion or nationality. Current and former NBA players and team personnel, working as camp coaches and mentors, will lead life-skills seminars that promote education, leadership, character development, health and wellness. Each camp also will include extensive community outreach efforts by the NBA, FIBA and their partners that will include the creation of safe places where children and families can live, learn or play. Since 2001, NBA Cares has created more than 400 live, learn or play centers around the world. “NBA players have an obligation to instill positive values and to promote social responsibility with young people everywhere because they look to us as role models and mentors,” said Dikembe Mutombo of the Houston Rockets, who will be participating in his eighth camp. “Health and education are two of the most important social issues globally and Basketball without Borders provides a great platform to create awareness for these issues.” A Basketball without Borders marketing partner since 2002, Nike will again outfit all the camp participants and coaches with Nike footwear and apparel. “Basketball without Borders teaches young basketball players the importance of hard work, dedication, teamwork and sportsmanship,” said George Raveling, Global Director, Nike Basketball Sports Marketing. “These are all vital attributes to the young campers, which will serve them well in the future both on and off the court, and we are proud to be working with the NBA and FIBA to promote these values.” To date, Basketball without Borders has featured over 250 current and former NBA players, coaches and team personnel from 30 different teams who have served as camp coaches and mentors for over 1200 young athletes from more than 100 countries and territories on five continents. Last year, Basketball without Borders took place in Shanghai, China; São Paulo, Brazil; Paris, France; and Johannesburg, South Africa. For more information contact: Helen Wong, NBA International PR: (212) 407-8299, hwong@nba.com Marcos Beltra, FIBA Press Director: +41 (22) 545 00 00, beltra@fiba.com Basketball without Borders camp Information:
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NBA/FIBA Players and Coaches to Lead Basketball Camps on Three Continents with a Focus on Education, Health and Wellness for Young Athletes from Over 70 Countries and Territories Worldwide
