One Team Games – a success at Zalgirio arena! 0

The Round 13 games of Turkish Airlines EuroLeague were dedicated to One Team program initiated by Euroleague Basketball and executed by the clubs all over Europe. Zalgiris Kaunas and Brose Bamberg game at Zalgirio arena was a real dream come true for local One Team participants.

The participants of the program – youngsters from Kaunas regional probation service – gathered at the Zalgiris Kaunas practice gym already in the afternoon and participated in project activities which are held every week.

However, this time the session was unique. During the One Team day youngsters tried a one-off sport – they played an integrated basketball game together with players in wheelchairs.

“It is a new modern attitude towards the “sport is for everyone” idea. We don’t divide people to different categories and we are organizing sports events together. I think that One Team participants and wheelchair basketball players enjoyed a unique experience today” told Andrius Brusokas, the president of Lithuanian Integrated Sports Association.

Later on, the participants of the program had lunch at the restaurant SALA and were excited for the upcoming EuroLeague game between Zalgiris Kaunas and Brose Bamberg at Zalgirio arena.

Youngsters from Kaunas regional probation service together with Special Olympics athletes were introduced to the whole Zalgirio arena just before the tip-off of important EuroLeague game.

The underlying message of solidarity with the program and its participants was also emphasized by EuroLeague players wearing ONE TEAM, instead of their own names, on the backs of their uniforms.

During the halftime the One Team participants played a chasing game on the court together with EuroLeague legend Ramunas Siskauskas who came to Kaunas to congratulate Zalgiris Kaunas organization on the last season’s achievement – award for the best results in One Team program.

“All the initiatives to help the youth to concentrate on the sport or any positive activities are praiseworthy. One Team social responsibility program is a great example. Through basketball we are showing the people that everyone can live a normal and fulfilling life”, Siskauskas talked about the importance of One Team program.

Zalgiris Kaunas initiates One Team project since 2013. The club aims to set an example for other clubs as well. Zalgiris Kaunas good performance in One Team was recognized not only by EuroLeague with One Team award but also by gaining new sponsor for the program – RAMIRENT. A company which provides a broad product portfolio of high quality and unmanned reliable rental equipment in 10 countries in Northern, Central and Eastern Europe and also supports socially responsible initiatives.