DOHA (Qatar) – From December 20 to 28, the Hoops For All initiative led by FIBA Foundation Youth Leader Abdulrahim Abuissa, brought together children from 18 different nationalities, including 50 Gazan refugees, promoting social integration and unity.

Abuissa’s AI Sports, supported by Generation Amazing, the Qatar Basketball Association, and the FIBA Foundation, successfully conducted the camp for 135+ participants aged 7 to 14, at the Qatar Basketball Federation Training Hall in Doha.

2024 Asia Youth Leadership Seminar

The camp marked the realization of Abuissa’s and fellow Qatari Youth Leader Mona Soliman’s project pitch at the 2024 Asian Youth Leadership Seminar in Singapore, which was ranked third, earning additional support from the FIBA Foundation.

“The camp integrated 50 Gaza evacuees and 80 local kids by designing training circuits across two courts and grouping children based on size, age, and skill level—regardless of their backgrounds,” Abuissa told FIBA Foundation, in an exclusive interview.

Through interactive lectures with expert international and local coaches that fostered learning and collaboration, joint snack breaks that broke the ice between the Gaza evacuees and local youth, and daily contests and prizes giving everyone a chance to succeed, Hoops For All lived up to its name.

Universal Community Through Basketball

“One memorable moment was when children shared markers to sign basketballs for each other, creating a sense of camaraderie. Several kids mentioned that they didn’t know basketball camps like this existed, which was heartwarming to hear,” Abuissa said.

A 12-year-old refugee from Gaza said the camp was her first chance to connect with other kids after everything she has been through. Playing basketball brought her hope, confidence, and the happiness of making friends in a caring environment.

While gender inclusivity was ensured with the active involvement of around 40 girls, regional diversity came through expatriate players from a range of countries such as Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Qatar, the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, Bosnia, Pakistan and South Africa.

Despite the various challenges in organizing a camp of this nature – from financial planning, stakeholder coordination, event logistics, media and marketing – Abuissa is confident of ensuring program continuity.

Taking ‘Hoops For All’ Global

“We will continue working with the Gaza evacuees. On Qatar’s National Sports Day (February 11, 2025), we plan to visit their compound for a training session. Weekly sessions are also being planned, along with a summer camp,” Abuissa said. He highlighted the desire to expand Hoops For All, not just to other underprivileged communities evacuated to Qatar, but across the entire Gulf region, and even globally.

To other young change-makers looking to pursue their own Basketball For Good endeavors, Abuissa has the following words of advice:

“Be genuine in your message and bring the story to the table. Managing stakeholder expectations can be challenging but always remember your ‘why’. It will keep you focused and motivated.”

***

The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports and particularly basketball in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage.

The FIBA Foundation believes that basketball has the power to empower, educate and inspire youth and facilitates this by implementing Basketball For Good projects around the world.

FIBA