December 16th marks a significant milestone for the United Through Adapted Basketball (UTAB) project as a pivotal kick-off meeting took place in Sofia, Bulgaria. This gathering brought together project partners, stakeholders, and experts from across Europe to collaborate and establish the foundation for the project's ambitious goals.
Supported by funding from the European Union, the UTAB initiative is dedicated to promoting inclusion and diversity through sports, with a special focus on empowering young individuals with disabilities aged 15-37. The meeting provided a platform to discuss the project’s timeline, key activities, and strategic objectives. These include organizing training seminars for coaches and referees, regular sports activities, and wheelchair basketball tournaments.
During the meeting, participants reviewed the project’s three interconnected work packages:
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Project Management and Coordination: Ensuring smooth collaboration and effective communication.
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Training Seminars and Event Organization: Preparing for impactful seminars and tournaments.
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Dissemination, Evaluation, and Sustainability: Focusing on long-term impact, including the creation of a Handbook of Good Practices and leveraging digital platforms for communication and outreach.
The discussions underscored the importance of international collaboration, with active contributions from the project's partners, including basketball federations from Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Armenia. The meeting also received support from the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation Europe and the FIBA Foundation.
The UTAB project exemplifies the power of sports to unite communities, break barriers, and foster equality. Stay tuned for updates on the exciting activities and events planned under this initiative!
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Instagram: utab.project
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Facebook: utab.project
Together, we are transforming sports into a platform for inclusion and empowerment!
One of the key goals of UTAB is to increase participation in wheelchair basketball, particularly among youth and those with an active lifestyle. By raising awareness about the sport and its benefits, UTAB hopes to inspire more people to get involved and experience the joy of playing adapted basketball. In addition to increasing participation, UTAB is also focused on promoting inclusivity within the basketball community. By creating a welcoming and supportive environment for players of all abilities, UTAB aims to break down barriers and build connections that transcend differences. As part of their efforts to achieve these goals, UTAB has been working on a number of exciting initiatives and updates. From organizing community events and tournaments to collaborating with local schools and organizations, UTAB is committed to making adapted basketball more accessible and enjoyable for everyone involved. Whether you're a seasoned wheelchair basketball player or someone who is new to the sport, UTAB welcomes you to join their mission of promoting inclusivity and raising awareness about adapted basketball. Together, we can all be united through the power of basketball and create a more inclusive and supportive community for all.