FIBA proud to celebrate very special first ‘World Basketball Day’

MIES (Switzerland) – FIBA is excited and proud to celebrate a historic first-ever World Basketball Day after it became the first team sport to receive such a global recognition and prestigious honor.

Arising from the United Nations (UN) General Assembly and its plenary meeting that was held during August, on the eve of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, a resolution was adopted that established the inaugural World Basketball Day on December 21.

There is no better day to celebrate basketball than the day it was invented by Dr. James Naismith. It was on December 21 in 1891 that the first game of basketball famously took place in Springfield, Massachusetts. 

FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis commented: “We are tremendously proud of the establishment of World Basketball Day and very grateful to the UN and other partner organizations who continue to recognize the positive role that basketball plays for millions of different people living around the globe. 

“The fact that basketball is the first team sport to receive such recognition is a clear demonstration and endorsement of the vast societal benefits it delivers, as well as the unlimited potential that exists in utilizing Basketball For Good.”

Director-General of the United Nations at Geneva, Tatiana Valovaya, said: “Aligning perfectly with our 2030 Agenda, basketball serves as a powerful enabler in driving sustainable development. It’s not just a game but a platform that changes perceptions, challenges prejudices, and unites communities worldwide.

“The sport’s ability to bring together people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, speaking a universal language of unity and inclusivity, is truly remarkable.”

To both mark and celebrate the newly introduced World Basketball Day, FIBA is organizing a number of activities and activations.

This includes a special event at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball for dignitaries from the various UN entities and Partner organizations in Geneva, as well as guests from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), and representatives from the YMCA.

A special social wall on fiba.basketball has been created where all posts with #WorldBasketballDay will be featured to mark the special occasion.