As part of One Team, Euroleague Basketball's social responsibility program, Olympiacos Piraeus has been working with Exelixi Zois, a local organization that provides support and care to people who have spent time in closed child-protection institutions.

Building confidence with Olympiacos and One Team

A group of female participants learned different life skills through specially designed basketball drills in a positive and safe environment and, at the age of 13, 'R' was the youngest member of the group. She is smart and strong-willed with a likeable personality, but her eagerness and enthusiasm could make her easily distracted and less integrated with the larger group of girls.

Over the course of several sessions, Olympiacos's One Team coaches aimed to support 'R' in integrating with the rest of the girls, using sport to teach her about teamwork and interpersonal relationships. She adjusted very well, was gradually given more responsibility, and then transitioned smoothly into leadership positions.

Everyone working with 'R' noticed her increase in ambition, compassion and determination during the One Team program, and Dimitra Kalantoni, President and CEO of Exelixi Zois, said: "She has a gifted personality and is a shining example of creative action, having all the potential to excel in her life. We are really glad that many of her qualities were intensified thanks to the support offered by Exelixi Zois, whose vision is to create a society in which the rights of all children are protected, and each child is given an equal opportunity to grow and become an active and autonomous citizen."

Penny Giovanovits, Olympiacos's One Team Manager, added: "We are so proud of that super girl 'R'! She managed to adjust to the new circumstances of her life very, very soon in the best way. When I first met her in June 2020 she was not at all excited about the idea of basketball. She also had the impression that friendship was something difficult to conquer and she was so pessimistic about her achievements, everything seemed really difficult. The good news came faster than expected and her bad thoughts belong to the past!

"Our continuous sessions proved to be very efficient, and now she has confessed that she loves basketball! The same feelings are shared about her new friends, her 'besties'. Now whatever she does, she knows she can succeed ,and we have created such a relationship that by saying only two words, we can understand the world. She feels secure that we are on her side and that the future belongs to her."

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.

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

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FC Barcelona v FC Bayern Munich (2021-04-09T19:00:00.000Z)

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Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz carries out its One Team program along with the Gizarterako Association, a local organisation focused on social integration with a strong street presence.

Time pays off with Baskonia's One Team program

One of the participants is Destiny, a boy whose social worker Nuria Zapatero recalls: “Destiny caught my attention from the very first day, four years ago. He was a child with a sad, distrustful look. He looked at you with fear and a little bit of resentment, but behind those eyes there was a child crying, screaming, asking for help and affection. “His emotions of fear, anger and mistrust led him to aggressive and angry behaviour. I got in touch with his social educator and we shared information in order to be able to help.”

Part of the process of helping Destiny find a better life was including him in Baskonia’s One Team program, which encouraged him to develop positive habits and attitudes by using lessons from basketball. And although the process was not immediate, as time passed Destiny was able to really change his life for the better.

“The sessions with his educator and his mother, along with the work and play with his One Team coach Ana Mari and his teammates, mean that after four years Destiny gained confidence,” said Zapatero. “He now has the security to have the calm look of a child who has fun playing basketball with his friends.”

One Team Coach Ana Maria Garcia added: “At first, Destiny showed aggressive behaviour due to his strong character. He had conflicts with his teammates, he had a lot of anger and frustration if things didn't go his way. He didn't accept the rules, everything was a call for attention. But now he has radically changed his behaviour. He doesn't miss any session, he is punctual, he brings the right equipment, he doesn't get angry when he is corrected and he is very participative and respectful with his teammates and coach.”

The club’s One Team Manager Iker Gonzalez de Garibay believe Destiny’s development is a great example of taking a long-term approach with children and understanding that changes won’t always happen overnight. “From my point of view, stories like this show the importance of consolidating the social project and giving it continuity over time,” he said. "As the poet Maya Angelou said: ‘People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ All of our One Team staff are very aware of this and Destiny has become an important pillar of our team because of his charisma.”

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

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**The 11th edition** *of the One Team Annual Workshop took place this week, bringing together clubs from the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague and 7DAYS EuroCup to discuss the best ways they can support vulnerable members of their local communities.*

A series of sessions were held online which allowed club representatives to learn ideas for best practices from each other and an outstanding selection of external speakers, discussing challenges and getting inspired as they prepare for the new season, which will mark the 10th anniversary of One Team.

Roser Queralto, Euroleague Basketball Chief Business Development Officer, said: "This year's workshop took place against the backdrop of the global pandemic and we were able to celebrate how our clubs maneuvered the storm, reflecting on what we learned and discussing what we can take forward into hopefully more positive times. Euroleague Basketball is incredibly proud of the clubs who were able to adapt their One Team programs, with all clubs working together towards the common goal of supporting our communities."

This year's workshop saw a specific focus on promoting health and wellbeing, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3. One Team plays a vital role in this aim by providing participants with regular access to physical activity and emotional support through its methodology and through Euroleague Basketball partners such as BKT, which has donated bicycles to all One Team programs.

Several clubs played an active role in the workshop as their One Team Coaches and Managers shared their experiences with the program. The speakers were: Marilisa Zanini and Michele Samaden (AX Armani Exchange Milan); Penny Giovanovits (Olympiacos Piraeus); Dorleta de la Presa (Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz); Manon Fontaine (Minicidelice JL Bourg en Bresse); Julia Ivakina (Zenit St Petersburg); Akvile Dagilyte (Zalgiris Kaunas) and Igor Ryabinin (ALBA Berlin).

The external speakers who offered valuable insights were: Radha Balani (Think Beyond); Kiera Byland Bem (Special Olympics); Dr. Sergio Lara-Bercial (Leeds Beckett University); Lauren Werry (Think Beyond); Fiona Murray (Special Olympics); Graham Herstell (StreetGames); Francis Hargreaves (LFC Foundation); Batouly Camara (Women and Kids Empowerment) and Megan Bartlett (Center for Healing and Justice Through Sport).

Batouly Camara's inspirational session was delivered to the EuroLeague players who met in Barcelona on Wednesday. She emphasized the importance of the mentoring role that players can perform with young people, saying:

"Sports can help you gain transferable life skills. I had mentors that vouched for me early on. So, once the opportunity came it felt like paying it forward by being what I needed to become."

Igor Ryabinin, Head of Sustainability and Social Affairs at ALBA Berlin, explained how the One Team philosophy can also have a wider positive environmental impact in the future, saying:

"It is very important that clubs' top management embrace sustainability as a way of doing business. Then, the unity that clubs have to deliver One Team can definitively be a reference for the clubs to work together to make a relevant environmental impact as well."

One Team Annual Workshop focuses on health and wellbeing

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 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.

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Kyle Hines hosts another edition of the One Team Life Skills series by sharing his thoughts on the subject of communication.

Hines, One Team Ambassadors talk about communication

Kyle Hines hosts another edition of the One Team Life Skills series by sharing his thoughts on the subject of communication.

A four-time EuroLeague champion and the Global Ambassador for One Team, Euroleague Basketball's social responsibility program, Hines is helping to explore the many ways that basketball can teach important life lessons.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are happy to bring you the second episode of Life Skills by <a href="https://twitter.com/SirHines?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SirHines</a>!💙<br><br>This time, <a href="https://twitter.com/SirHines?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SirHines</a> discusses how &quot;Communication&quot; has impacted his life and why it is important!<br><br>Share with us who are some of the best communicators you know!<a href="https://twitter.com/OlimpiaMI1936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OlimpiaMI1936</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/VeLRoXdWhR">pic.twitter.com/VeLRoXdWhR</a></p>&mdash; One Team Euroleague (@OTEuroleague) <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague/status/1369241554053955584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Explaining the importance of communication on the court, he said: "There are five individuals on the court who need to communicate and act as one. The best teams, the ones that win the EuroLeague trophy, are usually the ones who communicate the best."

Many other players and coaches around the continent have joined in by sharing their thoughts on the importance of communication both on and off the court, including Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul assistant coach Radovan Trifunovic. He emphasized the different types of communication as he said: "On the court, communication is a lot of times with the eyes – 'Throw me the ball, go back-door, box out, be strong.' It's more body language than verbal, especially when the gyms are full!"

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our Assistant Coach Radovan Trifunovic shares his thoughts about communication. <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/RUlMSKUnOh">pic.twitter.com/RUlMSKUnOh</a></p>&mdash; Fenerbahçe Beko (@FBBasketbol) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBBasketbol/status/1370363438225100802?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Young participants of the TD Systems Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz One Team program talked about the best communicators in their lives, including Lisa Happy who said: "Our teacher helps us when we are sad or when we need help in sums or assignments."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hi <a href="https://twitter.com/SirHines?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SirHines</a> !! Our <a href="https://twitter.com/Baskonia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Baskonia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> partipants have very clear who are their best communicators !!🗣️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/kjMqcGpPDx">pic.twitter.com/kjMqcGpPDx</a></p>&mdash; Fundación 5+11 Fundazioa (@Fundacion5mas11) <a href="https://twitter.com/Fundacion5mas11/status/1369301773605830668?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Joventut Badalona One Team Ambassador Simon Birgander discussed how communication has taken on an even more important role during the recent pandemic:

"Communication is very important right now because it's hard to meet people, so it's hard to know how people feel. If you don't tell people how you feel, it's very hard to live in this current state with the pandemic. Communication with my friends and family in Sweden has been important to me, to keep my head high and get the help I need."

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our ambassador <a href="https://twitter.com/SimonBirgander?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SimonBirgander</a> joins you guys explaining hoy important is communication! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/TSAhCqZLxG">pic.twitter.com/TSAhCqZLxG</a></p>&mdash; Club Joventut Badalona (@Penya1930) <a href="https://twitter.com/Penya1930/status/1370044151362912267?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Who is the best communicator in your life? Join the conversation and share your stories!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Communication is key: ALBA&#39;s One Team Ambassador Johannes Thiemann and his view on the value and challenges of communication in the pandemic. 🗣 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALBABERLIN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALBABERLIN</a> <a href="https://t.co/yNDvUG2vJb">pic.twitter.com/yNDvUG2vJb</a></p>&mdash; ALBA BERLIN (@albaberlin) <a href="https://twitter.com/albaberlin/status/1369290583332843522?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

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

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Our ambassador Charis Giannopoulos shares his thoughts about communication.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PromitheasPatrasBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PromitheasPatrasBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/0ZglSOW3Q1">pic.twitter.com/0ZglSOW3Q1</a></p>&mdash; Promitheas Patras BC (@promitheasbc) <a href="https://twitter.com/promitheasbc/status/1369318154820874245?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Communication is a key, especially in a new reality. It’s very important for us to stick together these days. Together we can handle everything✊💙💚<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a></p>&mdash; BC UNICS Kazan (@unicsbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/unicsbasket/status/1369315902555045897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Communication is a key, especially in a new reality. It’s very important for us to stick together these days. Together we can handle everything✊💙💚<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a></p>&mdash; BC UNICS Kazan (@unicsbasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/unicsbasket/status/1369315902555045897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">❝Communication is 🔑, on and off the court! Especially in these times we try to communicate with all our fans through social media and keep the link between the club, the players and our fans.❞ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FCBB?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FCBB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/EuroLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EuroLeague</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/YVIyZdpzeX">pic.twitter.com/YVIyZdpzeX</a></p>&mdash; FC Bayern Basketball (@FCBBasketball) <a href="https://twitter.com/FCBBasketball/status/1369303076876730371?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="fr" dir="ltr">Our <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> ambassador Moustapha Sonko is talking about <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/communication?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#communication</a> ! 🤝<br><br>Notre ambassadeur Moustapha Sonko nous parle de communication ! 🤝<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoMets92?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoMets92</a> <a href="https://t.co/3zbMd4G9PT">pic.twitter.com/3zbMd4G9PT</a></p>&mdash; Boulogne-Levallois Metropolitans 92 (@Metropolitans92) <a href="https://twitter.com/Metropolitans92/status/1370061130496872452?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Let’s talk about communication!!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/ShaqInTheBox?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ShaqInTheBox</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OlympiacosBC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OlympiacosBC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/B5A1Sbxvwe">pic.twitter.com/B5A1Sbxvwe</a></p>&mdash; Olympiacos B.C. (@olympiacosbc) <a href="https://twitter.com/olympiacosbc/status/1369264316864692227?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hi <a href="https://twitter.com/OTEuroleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OTEuroleague</a> ! Communication is the key, let&#39;s talk about it 🙌 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeAreAllOneTeam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WeAreAllOneTeam</a> <a href="https://t.co/EGZhxRVvzt">pic.twitter.com/EGZhxRVvzt</a></p>&mdash; JL Bourg Basket (@JLBourgBasket) <a href="https://twitter.com/JLBourgBasket/status/1369289355681013760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Unicaja Malaga is supporting its local community despite social restrictions during the pandemic by running online sessions for its One Team program. For the third consecutive season, the 7DAYS EuroCup club is working with Down Malaga, an association which was founded 20 years ago by a group of parents whose children have Down Syndrome, with the objective of improving their quality of life and giving them more independence.

Waczynski and Unicaja bringing smiles with One Team

Unicaja Malaga is supporting its local community despite social restrictions during the pandemic by running online sessions for its One Team program. For the third consecutive season, the 7DAYS EuroCup club is working with Down Malaga, an association which was founded 20 years ago by a group of parents whose children have Down Syndrome, with the objective of improving their quality of life and giving them more independence.

Weekly online sessions are taking place every Tuesday afternoon, using the example of basketball as a tool for social integration and promoting personal values.

"We work on the value of respect, as well as care, respecting our environment and being cautious," says Jose Carlos Gaspar, the club's One Team Manager and Director of Sales, Public Relations, Protocol and Social Marketing. He explained that the video sessions include exercises with and without the ball: "They are precautionary activities such as protecting the ball and defending it, which we transfer to daily life so that the participants value the importance of such precaution and prevention."

These exercises are supported by the contribution of Unicaja's One Team Ambassador, Adam Waczynski. The Polish forward has been very involved with One Team for several years and helped develop the activities, as well as joining a session to congratulate the participants on their good work.

Waczynski said: "In this difficult and strange year we could not do our sessions on the basketball court, but we continue to be in contact with the Down Malaga team and they are doing a fantastic job at home – enjoying work, school and improving in many areas of life. Each of them is making an incredible effort to feel good. I love spending time with them and seeing the smiles on their faces. We can't meet in person but it's the best we can do for now. Better days will come, and I think we will enjoy them together very soon."

The support of the Fundacion Unicaja and Unicaja Banco, along with the collaboration of the companies that make up SponsorTeam, the social sponsorship strategy of Unicaja Baloncesto, have also been important for the continuous development of the One Team program, with the participation and direct help from its members in various sessions.

Ricardo Fernandez-Palacios, president of Down Malaga, comments: "We want to thank Unicaja Baloncesto because despite the difficulties that the current pandemic and health alert situation impose upon us, they have found the formula to maintain contact so our young people with Down Syndrome can still practice basketball on equal terms with other people through One Team. We are confident that we will soon be able to return to the classroom environment, but for now we support this initiative that keeps team spirit alive."

Maria Gallardo, one of the participants of Down Malaga, adds: "This year we have to settle for doing sports online, but whatever is connected with basketball we love it. I know that soon we will again share training on the court, all of us together."

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.

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

