The first-ever United Nations (UN) World Basketball Day was observed across the globe on 21 December 2023 to recognise the pivotal role of sports (including sports for disabled persons), especially basketball, in fostering human rights, peace, development, gender equality, and the empowerment of women and girls.
Significance:
Basketball has become the 1st team sport to be honoured with an UN-recognised international day. This reflects the global significance of the game and its unique ability to unite people worldwide.
Background:
i.Antonio Lagdameo, Philippine Ambassador to the UN introduced the draft resolution (document A/77/L.95) on “World Basketball Day” in the UN.
- The draft resolution co-sponsored by more than 70 nations, emphasizing basketball’s role in connecting diverse communities and contributing to global peace and development.
ii.On August 25, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution A/RES/77/324 and proclaimed the 21 December as World Basketball Day.
Note: The resolution urges everyone to engage with basketball through playing, watching, reading, discussing, or connecting in other ways.
Why December 21?
On 21st December 1891, Basketball was played for the first time at the International YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, the United States of America(USA).
- Basketball was developed by Dr. James Naismith, a Canadian physical education instructor.
Harlem Globetrotters Score for Peace:
Harlem Globetrotters is an American exhibition basketball team which aims to spread joy around the world through the game of basketball.
- In 2019, the team visited the UN to announce the signing of new international stars, first-ever Globetrotter players from China(Lucky Jiang) and Poland(Dazzle Kidoń).
Key Facts:
According to International Basketball Federation (FIBA), at least 450 million people worldwide play basketball today.
Basketball World Cup:
FIBA Basketball World Cup is an international basketball competition between the senior men’s national teams of FIBA members. It takes place once every 4 year.
- 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup was hosted by the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia from 25 August to 10 September 2023.
- Germany won the title defeating Serbia in the finals.
Olympic:
Basketball was introduced in the Olympic programme at the 1904 Games in St Louis, Missouri, USA as a demonstration event.
- Basketball men’s event was formally introduced at the Olympic Games in 1936 in Berlin, Germany.
- Women’s basketball was added to the Olympics in 1976, which were held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Professional league:
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in America was the first and oldest professional basketball league in the world.
- Philippine Basketball Association(PBA), established in 1975 is Asia’s first and oldest professional basketball league.
