It is that time of year once again, as the One Team Games takes center stage across the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and the BKT EuroCup. All 38 clubs under the Euroleague Basketball umbrella, together with One Team, have the opportunity to give even greater prominence to their programs, which impacts hundreds of people who are at risk of social exclusion across the continent.
The One Team Games are back!
Taking place between January 30 and February 2, 2024, which covers Rounds 24 and 25 in the EuroLeague and Round 17 in the EuroCup, clubs will be able to show how they are working towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 10. The target is to specifically look at reducing inequalities in our communities, something the Euroleague Basketball clubs have made sure to address with their respective programs.
"One Team Games is a celebration of our 38 clubs and countless One Team participants, past and present, because their efforts are so meaningful to their communities," Roser Queralto, Euroleague Basketball's Deputy CEO, said. "Part of reducing inequality is narrowing the social exclusion gap so that more and more at-risk people know that they are truly valued. One Team is aimed precisely at achieving that reduction, program by program and season by season across the continent."
For fans in attendance across the 28 games – 18 in the EuroLeague and 10 in the EuroCup – there will be plenty of things to keep an eye on. Before tipoff, there will be a family picture featuring the One Team participants from the home side, as well as the One Team Ambassadors from both teams, at midcourt. Then, a One Team participant will bring the game ball to the officials before the fixture gets underway.
At halftime, the home crowd will get to see some One Team activities take place, so they have a chance to cheer on the participants – just as they would for the players. Whether you are watching from the arena or the comfort of your own home, you will see special #WeAreAllOneTeam stickers on EuroLeague and EuroCup courts. Turkish Airlines and BKT, the naming partners of the EuroLeague and the EuroCup, actively support the One Team Games and have worked with One Team to place the #WeAreAllOneTeam hashtag on the teams’ courts for this special event.
Likewise, the #WeAreAllOneTeam hashtag will also be highlighted across plenty of digital platforms, too, with One Team Ambassadors, players, clubs and fans all encouraged to show their support by sharing the program’s motto on social media.
"It's my second year involved with One Team and I think it's a beautiful project that deserves our support as players,” said Oscar da Silva of FC Barcelona. “Sport in general is a great tool to teach and learn a lot of values and skills that are really important in life, like teamwork, hard work, respect. I believe that in our particular case (youngsters from penitentiary center), we work on these values so that they can use them in their futures.”
There are further digital activations that will take place, with two different contests having been designed ahead of the One Team Games. The first one will be available for fans inside the arenas, as they can scan a QR code that will allow them to participate in a game where they can learn more about the One Team program and have the chance to win regular-season tickets for their favorite EuroLeague or EuroCup team.
The second way in which fans can get involved is via the One Team social media accounts, where there will be a personality quiz that will allow you to see which One Team Ambassador has the same personality traits as you. By taking part in this quiz, you have the opportunity to win a jersey of your favorite EuroLeague or EuroCup player.
Throughout the One Team Games, the Euroleague Basketball clubs and the One Team Ambassadors are invited to show further support and awareness about One Team by sharing a special filter that they can use on their social media accounts. There will be many more special activations that the clubs do before and during the games themselves, too.
“As a man, it is important for me to renew my commitment to the One Team program,” noted Gauthier Denis of Paris Basketball. “In my daily life, I consider it essential to take time to help others. And whatever the cause... I want to believe that sport remains one of the rare places where everyone plays on an equal footing. There is no distinction of origin, gender or even religion. For all these reasons, I am very proud to be one of the One Team Ambassadors.”
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 real social impact in our communities. With an innovative model of interconnectedness across an entire continent, Euroleague Basketball and its clubs have developed a complete CSR program that brings together activities from each team in an integrated, impactful way, working under the theme of "community integration" that actively addresses targets of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities.