An initiative aimed at empowering young girls through basketball was launched on Saturday by the French ambassador and the non-profit organisation United Sports Cyprus (USC) at the outdoor basketball court of the Ledra Palace Hotel in Nicosia’s buffer zone.

French Ambassador Clélia Chevrier Kolacko stressed the significance of the initiative as a tool to foster dialogue and build trust and friendship between the two communities in Cyprus.

Founder and director of USC Stephanie Nicholas described the programme as more than just a sports initiative.

“This programme is about bridging social divides, fostering leadership skills, and inspiring a lifelong love for sports among girls aged five to eight from all communities in Cyprus,” she said.

Kolacko expressed the support of French Embassy for the initiative and explained that since last September, young girls from all communities in Cyprus have been offered basketball training sessions on a weekly basis.

“This initiative is an example of how sport can act as a bridge between people from different backgrounds and provide opportunities to overcome barriers,” she said.

She praised Nicholas’ vision and dedication, adding that the project was embraced by the French embassy as part of its efforts to promote the values of the Olympic Games ahead of Paris 2024.

“Indeed, this programme goes beyond the basketball courts, building on a common passion, basketball in this case. This initiative leverages the power of sport and creates space to foster dialogue between Greek speaking and Turkish speaking young people in Cyprus playing as a bicommunal team,” she added.

Entitled Youth Empowerment Through Basketball, the initiative seeks to unite Greek-speaking and Turkish-speaking communities by encouraging young girls to play together as part of bicommunal teams.

“Sports is a unique and powerful tool to strengthen social bonds and rally people and through its values and universal nature, sport can provide an alternative pathway when standard approaches fall short,” Kalacko added.

She also said that these young girls were the future of Cyprus and expressed the hope that the experience would help them keep their minds open to dialogue and sharing.