Euroleague Basketball and Special Olympics Sign Agreement

Euroleague Basketball and Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia are delighted to announce a new partnership agreement that will promote greater opportunities in basketball for people with intellectual disabilities during the 2009-10 Euroleague season.

The agreement was announced on October 14, during the pre-game press conference of the Euroleague Basketball Opening Game between Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv and Union Olimpija Ljubljana in Israel.

"Through their enthusiasm and commitment to Special Olympics, Euroleague have shown that they are committed to promoting basketball for everyone while breaking down stereotypes about intellectual disabilities in the process,"
said Mary Davis, Managing Director of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia. "We are very excited about the new opportunities that this collaboration will open and the growing momentum for basketball in our movement."


Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague Basketball CEO, commented: "We are very proud to sign an agreement to collaborate and to offer our platform to raise awareness and support for Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia," Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague Basketball CEO, stated. "The partnership forms part of our Euroleague for Life programme with the principal goal of ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of basketball."

Several initiatives will be developed between the two organizations during the 2009-10 season, starting with two specially dedicated competition dates, on November 11-12 and November 25-26, 2009, during which Euroleague Basketball clubs, players, coaches and referees will actively join the "Special Olympics" campaign.  From November 28 to December 6, Special Olympics will celebrate the 2009 European Basketball Week in which Euroleague will be present. "Special Olympics" will also be present through a series of special events at Euroleague Basketball's signature event, the Final Four, in Paris from May 7 to 9, 2010.


"It's a real pleasure for the Special Olympics to be part of this very important evening and event tomorrow," said Kai Troll, Director of Organizational Development and Strategic Marketing, Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia. "Basketball is one of our main sports for the next five years. We don't see more growth in any other sport than basketball. It is with a lot of care that this cooperation and partnership was created. We are proud to be part of the Euroleague. We want to show that people with disabilities can also play basketball. We are looking forward to connecting Special Olympics with each of the Euroleague teams."

Photo: (from left to right) Jordi Bertomeu, Euroleague Basketball and Kai Troll, Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia. (courtesy of Euroleague.net)

http://www.euroleague.net/news/i/59036/180/euroleague-unites-with-special-olympics