TIBU Maroc : promoting inclusive basketball

A project managed by TIBU Maroc

Founded in 2010 by Mohamed Amine Zariat, TIBU Maroc is a non-profit association that works to promote and foster participation in basketball in Morocco through educational and social projects. As a leader in the field of social innovation through sport, TIBU Maroc uses basketball as a driving force for education, cohesion and social integration.

TIBU Maroc has designed and developed a number of pioneering projects combining sport and development in Morocco, such as TIBU Basketball Academy, TIBU Girls Camp, TIBU Handibasket (for disability basketball) and the National TIBU School Tour to name but a few. These different programmes embody the values of inclusive basketball to ensure the personal and professional development of future champions in life.

Context

More than 40% of the population of Morocco is currently under the age of 24. This generation is more likely to drop out of school (two out of three young people, on average) and faces a high rate of unemployment. According to a report published by the Office of the High Commissioner for Planning, Morocco’s statistics agency, around 66% of the unemployed are young people aged 15 to 29.
Some 82% of young people do not participate in any physical activity or cultural pastime, and 72% of their time is spent on non-productive activities that do not contribute to social welfare (the conclusions of the Moroccan Economic, Social and Environmental Council).
Against this backdrop, TIBU Maroc has committed itself to supporting the Government’s strategy by contributing to the mentoring and development of young Moroccans through participation in sport, in particular basketball.

Goals

Promote the practice and educational values of basketball in Morocco
Develop the motor, cognitive, social and emotional skills of children and young people aged between 4 and 18
Foster the employment of young people aged 18 to 35 in the sports industry through targeted training programmes
Develop the autonomy, perseverance, discipline and teamwork of the young leaders of tomorrow
Contribute to sustainable environmental protection through sport and awareness raising

Activities

Several flagship programmes are carried out in Morocco:
- TIBU Girls Camp and TIBU Basketball Camp providing an introduction to basketball
- TIBU Handibasket fostering the social inclusion of children with reduced mobility
- TIBU Basketball Academy offering elite basketball training for young people between the ages of 4 and 18
- University tournaments and National TIBU School Tour focusing on the development of school sport
Construction of training centres around the country in partnership with the Moroccan Royal Basketball Federation (FRMBB)
Sensitisation on environmental issues through the ” Think Green by ARMA ” national competition (launched in 2021 in partnership with ARMA Holding, a citizen Moroccan company)
Awarding of scholarships, provision of sports equipment and teaching materials

See the TIBU Basketball Academy programme in action

Impacts

Since 2010, almost 38,000 children have been introduced to basketball
22 training and apprenticeship centres have been created by the association in 15 moroccan cities
More than 500 young participants of the TIBU Basketball Academy
Improved school results with rising overall averages and a reduction in school dropout rates and violence
Improved living conditions in the towns and regions where TIBU Maroc’s programmes/centres are located
78 trained instructors and members of the TIBU team
Partnerships have been formed with a number of Moroccan sporting associations to organise the camps
More than 2,400 expected beneficiaries of the sensitisation campaign on environmental issues led in partnership with ARMA Holding