Turkish Airlines Euroleague, Europe’s elite basketball competition, announced details of the Trafalgar Square Fan Zone and ‘One Team’ initiative; a grassroots and community-led programme that will leave a lasting basketball legacy in the UK beyond the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four. The announcement was backed by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, during yesterday’s event at City Hall.
The Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four is the signature event of the European club basketball competition, where the four best Euroleague teams of the season compete to become Euroleague champions. For the first time in history, the event will take place on UK soil, entertaining 16,000 fans per game across two days at The O2 from May 10 and 12, 2013.
The Turkish Airlines Euroleague Fan Zone is a free fan festival in London’s iconic Trafalgar Square that takes place throughout the three days of Final Four competition and will include a basketball court in the middle of the square! The fun, family-friendly environment will entertain daily an estimated 50,000 basketball and non-basketball fans alike with a variety of interactive activities.
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, said: “London is proud to be hosting the prestigious Euroleague finals, another testimony to this city’s status as a top flight venue for elite fixtures. I am also pleased to welcome the free Fan Zone to Trafalgar Square giving everyone the chance to have a go at this great sport.
Last year’s Olympic and Paralympics Games has already given basketball a bounce in popularity from professional to grassroots level. This summer, the London Lions are due to move into the magnificent Copper Box venue on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and we are also seeing huge interest through the London School of Basketball, part of my programme to get more people involved in sport.”
Turkish Airlines Euroleague Fan Zone activity will include:
Turkish Airlines Central Court – for the first time in London’s history, a 15m high weather proof basketball court will feature in the centre of the square with 3-on-3 competitions, slam dunk contests, player/legend appearances, the Nike International Junior Tournament and 3-point shoot-outs. The public will have an opportunity to get on court to take part in competitions to win fantastic prizes.
VTB Arena Satellite Courts – two satellite courts positioned either end of the square with master classes by basketball pros giving the public a chance to brush-up on free-throws, shooting, passing, dribbling and even dunks!
EFES Cheerleaders – The best cheerleaders in Europe will perform on several occasions and teach dance lessons to anyone who is feeling the groove.
INTERSPORT Trophy Tour & Official Merchandise – as part of the Intersport Trophy Tour, Intersport will be taking the Euroleague Champion’s Trophy to Trafalgar Square, providing fans with the unique opportunity of getting right up-close with the coveted piece of silverware. Intersport will also be offering the official event merchandise to all basketball fans.
In addition, the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four will include music, a children’s art centre, dance performances, food and beverage and various photo opportunities.
‘One Team’, the successful grassroots and community led CSR programme, will aim to involve local communities in life skill sessions built and developed around participation in sport. 15 Euroleague teams are participating in the ‘One Team’ programme (including Real Madrid, Olympiacos, CSKA Moscow), delivering weekly sessions to local community groups covering various topics such as disability, substance abuse, gender inequality and community cohesion.
The impact of the ‘One Team’ programme in the last year has been huge, with a forecast of 10,000 people that have been positively influenced in three years. The programme aims to leave a lasting basketball legacy in the UK as Euroleague continues to work towards a UK franchise that competes in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague competition across Europe.
Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Great Britain Basketball Team & Cajasol Sevilla (Spanish League) player, said: “The Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four is the biggest basketball event outside of the NBA Finals and the commitment by Euroleague confirms London as an up-and-coming city in basketball terms – I have no doubt the local support will be huge, much like when I played in the Paris Final Four event. I look forward to heading down to the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Fan Zone in Trafalgar Square to shoot-some-hoops with the kids and share the love we all have for this sport.”
Jordi Bertomeu, CEO and President, Euroleague Basketball, said: “Euroleague Basketball has a long-term vision in the UK beyond this year’s Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four and initiatives like our ‘One Team’ programme demonstrate the positive impact sport can have on local communities and grassroot development.
The Turkish Airlines Euroleague Final Four and Fan Zone will be a great showcase of our sport to the UK public and we look forward to welcoming people to The O2 for some high-quality basketball action and also to Trafalgar Square where people can get involved and be inspired to get involved in sport.”
