More than a game: Children learn life skills through basketball and traditional games
For Efe, the game isn’t just about shooting hoops — it’s about playing together. “Basketball is really fun,” he says, smiling through a bit of shyness, “and I’ve made new friends here.”
Efe is one of 170 children in Edirne who take part in the EU-funded ASSIST Traditional Games project, which combines basketball and traditional games. He says he likes the musical chairs game from Slovakia, one of the traditional games included in the project. “It’s fun, but I do get a little upset when we lose.”
Efe plays at the M&M Basketball Academy and takes part in ASSIST, an Erasmus+ intercultural sports initiative that connects children from Türkiye, Greece and Slovakia through basketball and other games.
The project introduces children aged 6-14 to traditional games from each country and weaves them into training sessions that not only develop physical skills, but also promote teamwork, enjoyment, and cultural appreciation.
EUROPEAN UNION, 2025
Basketball player Efe Karadeniz
Kayra Tunçer, age nine, has played basketball since 2021. He loves basketball. “Basketball’s fun, but playing with friends makes it even better,” he says. For her, playing outside beats screen time any day. “I’d rather be with my friends than play video games. It’s just more fun.”
EUROPEAN UNION, 2025
Basketball player Kayra Tunçer is training by playing hopscotch
Another participant, Ateş Uzgur, born in 2014, hasn't quite decided what he wants to be when he grows up, but he's sure of one thing: playing games is fun. “We train, we play games, and I learn new things that I can teach my friends at school,” he explains. “My dad encouraged me to try basketball and I'm glad he did.”
EUROPEAN UNION, 2025
Basketball player Ateş Ugzur is happy to be part of ASSIST
At the heart of the programme is Mehmet Üstev, an experienced physical education teacher and project coordinator. For him, ASSIST is more than just a project. “It's about inclusion," he says. “We have created a space where children from different backgrounds - many from disadvantaged areas - can come together, play and feel that they belong.” The initiative, which received the highest score of its round from the EU in 2023, aims to promote social inclusion through sport, using traditional games as an anchor.
EUROPEAN UNION, 2025
Successful coach Mehmet Üstev coordinates project in Edirne
“Musical chairs, hopscotch and a traditional Turkish children’s game called ‘Mendil Kapmaca’ (literally ‘handkerchief grab’) were incorporated into the project. These are games that all children can play - games that their parents have probably played,” Mr Üstev adds. “By mixing them with basketball drills, we create a familiar, welcoming environment.”
The project isn’t just about Edirne - it’s part of a wider movement. Similar sessions are run in Greece and in Slovakia, each involving 170 children. All are guided by trained coaches who combine traditional games with professional training.
EUROPEAN UNION, 2025
The Acting Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, Jurgis Vilčinskas
The Acting Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, Jurgis Vilčinskas, says: “When children from Türkiye, Greece and Slovakia come together through the projects like ASSIST, they don't just learn new games, they learn to trust and share. They learn about our shared culture of game. This is European unity in action - joyful, inclusive and rooted in our shared future.”
Mr Üstev agrees with Vilčinskas: “This is not just about building better athletes. It’s about building happier, healthier, more connected children.”
And for Efe, Kayra and Ateş - and many others - it’s already changed their lives. They now know what it means to be part of a team - and they’ve grown more familiar with different cultures, too.
EUROPEAN UNION, 2025
The children of Edirne are very happy to be a part of the ASSIST project
ASSIST project
As part of the ASSIST - Traditional Games and Basketball for Social Inclusion of Youth- project, research was carried out in three different countries, leading to the development of a new training model through the adaptation of traditional games into basketball practices. Traditional and street games were collected and analysed, resulting in a guide for their integration into training programmes. In addition, a resource guide for coaches was produced and training seminars were organised for basketball coaches and trainers. The project will run for 18 months with a budget of 60 million euros.
What is the Erasmus+ programme?
Erasmus+ is generally known as a student exchange programme, but this major EU grant programme is more comprehensive and covers the fields of education, training, youth and sport. The 2021-2027 programme strongly focuses on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life. Furthermore, collaborations between institutions are supported.
