As part of the ASSIST Erasmus Sports Project, in which M&M Basketball Academy Sports Club, one of Edirne’s successful basketball clubs, is a partner, three synchronized basketball training camps were held in Edirne, Athens, and Slovakia.
The project, titled “Traditional Games and Basketball for Social Inclusion of Youth. One of the final activities of this 18-month project, these camps brought together more than 150 children and young people, including both aspiring players and those already engaged in basketball. The camps were held at the Edirne Imam Hatip High School Sports Hall in three different groups, each lasting three days, under the leadership of coaches and physical education teachers who had previously participated in instructor training.
From Tradıtional Games To Basketball
Within the ASSIST project, research was conducted in three countries to identify traditional or street games that could be adapted into basketball training sessions. The selected games were compiled and analyzed, and a guideline was prepared to integrate them into training programs. Additionally, a key training manual was developed, and seminars were organized for basketball coaches and trainers to expand the instructor training program.
A timeline was established for the implementation and evaluation of the ASSIST Intervention Package, the final phase of the project. The details of the training camps, which will take place next month in all three countries, were also finalized.
Three-Day Training Camps In Three Countries
A total of 450 children will participate in these three-day training camps across the three countries. With the support of trainers and parents, the camps aim to encourage children to play basketball through traditional games and develop a deeper passion for the sport.
In Turkey, an innovative basketball training camp was successfully organized in Edirne as part of the ASIST project. The camps took place in three different groups on February 26-28, February 27-March 1, and March 28-April 2. These camps, held in a local school’s sports hall, provided a unique blend of traditional games and modern basketball training, offering an enriching experience for young athletes and potential future players.
Participants aged 6 to 16 first experienced traditional games from the three countries in their original form. They then took part in basketball training sessions where these games were adapted into basketball drills and techniques.
More Than Just Training
These camps were not only about improving basketball skills but also about learning through fun, fostering teamwork, developing social skills, and preserving cultural heritage. By incorporating traditional games—many of which have been forgotten in the digital age—the program created a warm and inclusive atmosphere, ensuring that all participants felt comfortable and engaged.
The ASSIST project also prioritized social inclusion by involving disadvantaged children in sports and promoting equal opportunities. The camp activities and sessions were held free of charge and were open to children from different neighborhoods, encouraging them to become part of the sports community. This approach aligned with the core values of the ASIST project, which aims to enhance social participation through sports.
To ensure the sustainability of the project’s impact, all training sessions were recorded and archived for future use.