On April 28th and 29th, the vibrant city of Kaunas, Lithuania, hosted the much-anticipated 2nd Basketball Tournament of the BASKEUball project, bringing together children and educators from across Europe for two days filled with sportsmanship, cultural exchange, and strategic planning.
Day 1: Games, Performances, and Team Spirt
Held at the Lithuanian Sports University, the first day of the tournament was all about energy, teamwork, and fun. The morning kicked off with a series of basketball-themed ice-breaking games that got everyone moving and mingling.
After a well-earned lunch break, the tournament officially began. Teams A, B, and C faced off in fast-paced 15-minute matches, interspersed with cultural performances by students of St. Kazimieras School and impressive gymnastics demonstrations by LSU students.
Day 2: Cultural Visits and Strategic Planning
While the kids explored St. Kazimieras School and the Lithuanian Sports Museum, the adults—project partners from different countries—convened for a full-day coordination and strategy meeting at the BA SNAIPERIS office.
The children’s visit included two engaging workshops, a school tour, and an afternoon walk through Lithuanian basketball history at the iconic Basketball House, where they gathered in front of the James Naismith sculpture—a fitting tribute to the roots of the game they love.
Meanwhile, the adult team delved into:
- Reviewing after-school activity programmes and guidelines
- Presenting case studies from participating schools
- Discussing the current and expected impact of the project
- Sharing upscaling strategies across countries
- Planning data collection and dissemination
- Mapping out future tasks and sustainability actions
Looking Ahead
This second tournament wasn’t just a celebration of basketball—it was a vivid demonstration of the BASKEUball project’s power to unite communities through sport, education, and intercultural learning. With more events on the horizon, the momentum is building. Stay tuned for more slam dunks and smart strategies as we continue to dribble toward inclusion and teamwork!
