Brussels, 19/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to support the campaign in favour of "a clean future" implemented by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in order to make young players and spectators aware of the harmful effects that drugs have on health. The initiative comes within the framework of the projects for fighting against doping amounting to EUR 2.5 million, and the Commission decided to contribute up to EUR 84,000 to this campaign, for which the total budget amounts to EUR 167,000. The Secretary General of FIBA, Borislav Stankovic, stressed that his federation fully supports the vision recommended by the European Commission for a sports environment that is free from drug problems. "We thank the Commission for this subsidy and hope to prove that it is a good investment for Europe, for the FIBA and for all sportsmen and women", he added.
The information campaign is addressed to juniors between 13 and 15 years of age, on the occasion of a basketball tournament, but also to "seniors" taking part in the FIBA competitions and national federations. Over fifteen sports events will be covered by the campaign until the summer 2002, mainly in France, Germany, Slovenia, Lithuania, Croatia, Malta and Cyprus. The campaign provides during various sports events for: - the posting of concise slogans and the distribution of a text giving, in several European languages, the definition of doping, the substances banned, sanctions, health risks and sports ethics; - the diffusion of the same message on the websites of FIBA and of the national federations involved in competitions, championships, cups and programmed training courses; - the distribution of informative material to players, the wearing of the logo for the campaign on competition teeshirts, the application of the logo on playing material (hoardings, flooring, balloons, etc.); - the organisation of "Anti-doping Info" centres with the intervention of well-known sports personalities during competitions broadcast by the media; - and the organisation of training seminars for young people and for circles close to them (trainers, doctors, parents).