3x3 Basketball: A pathway for personal development for displaced young people in Morocco

The basketball court is a place where everyone is invited, and everyone belongs. While the out-of-bounds lines are something you want to avoid during games, when the scoreboard is turned off, the borders dissolve. The court is special, dynamic, and inclusive - welcoming people for who they are. It is a space like no other.

For young refugees and displaced girls and boys in Morocco, when they participated in 3x3 basketball sessions, they were still refugees and displaced children and teenagers - but they got to define what that looked like. United Africa provides safe access to basketball for young people from underserved communities to not just take part in the beautiful game, but they showcased confidence and the willingness to continue their personal growth and development, despite their uncertain situations.

The bond between sport and education

Supported by Propose a Project, the "Africa in One Court" project is a Basketball for Good initiative designed by United Africa to provide safe access to sport for young refugees and displaced people who traditionally have limited access to sport and social activities.

Despite logistical and outreach challenges, weekly 3x3 basketball sessions were organized in combination with life-skills activities. Basketball encouraged physical activity, social inclusion, and teamwork, while the parallel educational discussions and moments of reflection focused on respect, leadership, and instilling personal responsibility.

The collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was crucial in identifying and referring migrant and refugee participants to the project, as well as providing other strong operational and social support, including appropriate accompaniment of the beneficiaries and contributing to the project’s relevance and impact.

Additionally, on the final day of the project, Najib Chajiddine, President of United Africa and Olympic basketball referee, was present to deliver Level 1 refereeing sessions to the boys and girls, combining sport practice with education and empowerment. Kevin Franceschi, player of the Moroccan National Team, joined as well to interact with the kids, acting as a role model and symbol for what is possible.

Exceeding expectations 

The project met and, in some cases, exceeded its objectives, particularly regarding the number of sessions delivered, participant engagement, and access to equipment,” explained Najib Chajiddine.

250 migrant children and teenagers, both boys and girls, participated weekly in the basketball 3x3 activities. Additionally, around 500 family members, peers, local coaches, and community members were involved or impacted by organized activities and events.

They developed self-confidence, teamwork, and social skills, while benefiting from a structured and inclusive environment. Beyond individual benefits, the project strengthened social cohesion within the community, bringing together young people from different backgrounds through basketball 3x3, demonstrating the value of intentionally designed physical and social community experiences.

Keep showing up: Basketball can make a difference

A 15-year-old boy joined the project with a limited history of sports. Initially, he was withdrawn and hesitant to engage with others. Through regular basketball sessions and involvement in a referring activity, a shift began to take place.

This boy not only gained confidence but also started communicating more with teammates, and by the conclusion of the project, he was actively supporting younger participants and interacting more frequently with the coaches.

Overall, the project achieved its main objectives and demonstrated the relevance of sport as a powerful tool for social inclusion and youth development, in line with the values of the FIBA Foundation and the goal of Basketball For Good initiatives to strengthen and build more resilient communities through basketball.

The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports and particularly basketball in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage.

The FIBA Foundation believes that basketball has the power to empower, educate, and inspire youth and facilitates this by implementing Basketball For Good projects around the world.