On June 18, 2012 FIBA will celebrate 80 years of existence and to mark the occasion, FIBA launched an online photo contest at 80years.fiba.com, which will see one lucky fan win a trip for two to the basketball finals at the London Olympics. The aim is that people from all around the world unite to create gallery of basketball images paying tribute to the beauty and the diversity of this truly global sport. An old photo of the legendary Michael Jordan suspended in mid-air just as he is about to hit a game-winning basket is of course welcome, but just as much and/or even more so are ones of young women playing basketball with a makeshift hoop in a remote Himalayan village or of peacekeeping troops shooting it up alongside local children in a conflict zone.
Something as simple as a nice picture of a Monday night pick-up game between friends can be submitted as well.
Any basketball related photo is welcome as long as the photographer owns the rights to it. The competition is open to anyone, whether a sports fan, basketball lover, amateur or professional photographer.
Each participant may upload up to five photographs.
As well entering a draw for a pair of tickets to the Olympic Basketball finals (including travel and accommodation), participants can win limited edition Tissot watches.
FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann said on the occasion of the launch: “Of course we urge everyone who has a basketball related photo to share it with the world. But we will be happier still seeing thousands of people use the camera on their phone and take a picture whenever they see something 'basketball', or bring a camera with them whenever they go to watch or play.
“The message is that basketball is everywhere and belongs to everyone.”