FUBB President hails impact of basketball on Uruguayan communities

MONTEVIDEO - Uruguayans had a chance to reflect on the importance of basketball and the last memories it has created at a gala dinner.

The Uruguay Basketball Federation (FUBB) is celebrating its centenary in 2015 and there were plenty of important people on hand to commemorate the occasion on 9 April.

Among them was FUBB President, Dr Luis Ney Castillo, who gave an emotional speech to start the celebration that was held at the Auditorio Nacional del Sodre Dra. Adela Reta.

"Basketball is synonymous with glory, in our country, but you have to live here to understand that," he said in his opening remarks.

"The clubs have a tremendous relationship with their neighborhood, they give a great social contribution to the place around them, they are a school of values."

Basketball, Ney Castillo said, can set an example for other sports to follow by ensuring that fans can feel safe when they attend games and not worry about violence.

He said: "Basketball has to mark a path for sporting events."

For his part, FIBA President Horacio Muratore said: "This is an historic moment. I want to thank all those who made Uruguayan Basketball what it is, because it helped basketball evolve around the world."

FIBA