One Team Games this week support pandemic relief

Once again, it is the time of year for Euroleague Basketball’s work in local communities to step into the spotlight with One Team Games taking place throughout the week in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup.

One Team, Euroleague Basketball’s long-running social responsibility program, was founded in 2012 and has since then used the unifying power of basketball to support vulnerable people all across the continent.

All 42 clubs in the EuroLeague and EuroCup are taking part in the program by running their own activities at a local level with the support of social partners and sponsors. This week, the visibility of the program will be enhanced by the One Team Ambassadors from all 42 clubs wearing a specially designed #WeAreAllOneTeam hoodie during the team arrivals at the court.

One Team’s Global Ambassador, AX Armani Exchange Milan star Kyle Hines, is proud to support another week of action: “I have been fortunate to be a part of One Team since the beginning of the project. It has been great to see the impact One Team continues to make. One Team allows us as athletes to bring positive influence and make a real difference in the communities we serve. The One Team Games are always special because they give Euroleague Basketball, its fans and players the opportunity to highlight all the great work being carried out. By all One Team Ambassadors wearing the #WeAreAllOneTeam hoodies, we continue to spread the One Team message and mission.”

Euroleague basketball Chief Business Development Officer Roser Queralto added: “One Team is now even more important than ever, with the global pandemic threatening to leave behind people at risk of exclusion from society. These are in many cases the people who are struggling the most with the current situation, and we are very proud to support our clubs with their great work to help vulnerable members of their communities.”

Unfortunately, the current pandemic situation means that this year’s One Team Games celebration will be different from usual because One Team participants are not able to join the action and get involved in different activities on the court, but clubs are finding innovative ways to support their local communities through digital platforms.

One of the players taking part in this week’s activities is Rade Zagorac, Partizan NIS Belgrade’s One Team Ambassador, who said: “Despite the difficulties caused by COVID-19, our bond with our participants is getting stronger. Unfortunately, we will not be able to celebrate this year together on the court, but thanks to digital platforms we will still be able to share our message, show that we are thinking about each other, and prove once more that we are all One Team.”

Euroleague Basketball Legend Ramunas Siskauskas added:

“As a former player, I am grateful for the opportunity to try to give something back. Basketball has been a hugely positive part of my life and now I want to help other people who need help also gain meaningful benefits from our wonderful sport. One Team Games are a great way to showcase all the work that takes place throughout the year.”

Anyone who would like to support the program can buy the same One Team hoodies and t-shirts that will be worn by players across Europe this week, by visiting the new EuroLeague online store at www.amazon.co.uk/euroleaguestore

Proceeds from sales of the hoodies and t-shirts will go directly to One Team pandemic relief efforts. Take this opportunity to support your local One Team program as Euroleague Basketball mobilizes to benefit One Team pandemic relief.

One Team, supported by Turkish Airlines as the One Team Founding Patron and with the collaboration of Special Olympics as Proud Partner, uses basketball to achieve meaningful social impact in our communities across Europe and is supported by every club in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup.

One Team actively works on the development of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, focusing specifically on Reduced Inequalities, Gender Equality, Health and Wellbeing, and Quality Education.

Since its founding in 2012, the One Team program has already helped more than 22,000 participants through its various team-focused projects.