Timor-Leste celebrate Independence Day with Mum’s a Hero mass participation event

DILI - The Federacao Nacional De Basquetebol Timor-Leste (FNBTL) has joined in celebrations of Timor's 14^th annual Independence Day.

Timor-Leste held their first-ever elections in 2001 to appoint a constituent assembly that would draft a national constitution. The constitution was formed in 2002 and soon after Timor-Leste's independence was formally declared on 20th May 2002. Now, each year on this day the people of Timor-Leste celebrate this historic event.

To celebrate this occasion, on 28 May the FNBTL brought together women and children from seven different communities to host a 'Mum's a Hero' mass participation celebration. All of the participants travelled to the FNBTL office in Dili, Timor-Leste where the FNBTL coaches lead them through various skills-based drills before playing some fun games against one another.

FNBTL Secretary General Isildo Tilman thanks the mothers of Timor for attending the celebrations

All of the participants were extremely excited for the event. Since its inception earlier this year, the FNBTL's 'Mum's a Hero' programme has been extremely well received by women in many different communities around Timor-Leste. Many communities have expressed a great desire for the FNBTL coaches to return to their area and expand the programme. The Independence Day celebration was a fantastic initiative by the FNBTL to ensure that every community they have visited had the opportunity to come together and experience the 'Mum's a Hero' programme together.

The 'Mum's a Hero' programme is funded by the Australian Government under the Asia Sports Partnerships initiative and is designed to encourage more females to participate in basketball activities while promoting proper diets and healthier lifestyles through exercise.

Many participants have gone out of their way to thank the 'Mum's a Hero' coaches for the work they are doing, with numerous families commenting that they are living healthier lives as a result of the knowledge gained through this programme.

'Mum's a Hero' coach Zacarias commented on the significance of what they were doing in the community. He said: "The benefits of the Mum's A Hero to the community are many; it allows them to have fun, creates peace and shows the importance of having mental and physical health for yourself, for your family, for children and for the community."

The FNBTL has caught the eye of local media for the amazing work they are doing throughout the community. There were several media outlets in attendance for the Independence Day celebrations; interviewing the FNBTL National Basketball Development Officer (NBDO) Jose Soares and participants about the event and the 'Mum's a Hero' programme as a whole.

Mothers during the Independence Day celebrations

"We are so happy that the mums of Timor are having fun playing basketball. Our coaches have so much fun coaching these women," commented Soares. "It is a great feeling being able to help the women of Timor be happy and healthy."

FNBTL Secretary General Isildo Tilman was thrilled with the turnout for their Independence Day celebrations.

"This is fantastic," he said. "I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate our independence than playing the sport we all love."

FIBA