The 100th anniversary of Catalan Federation will bring to Congost a game of Catalunya National Team

La Pedrera - Casa Milà in Barcelona was the scene, this Monday 16 January 2023 morning, of the official presentation of a historic event by the Catalan Basketball Federation (FCBQ) such as the Centenary of Catalan Basketball (1923 -2023). This event, which marked the start of the Centenary, was attended by Ferran Aril, President of the FCBQ; Anna Caula, Secretary General of Sport and Physical Activity of the Generalitat of Catalonia; David Escudé, Councilor for Sports at the Barcelona City Council and Deputy Delegate for Sports at the Barcelona Provincial Council; Josep Monràs, Deputy for Education, Sports and Youth of the Diputació de Barcelona; Gerard Esteva, President of the Union of Sports Federations of Catalonia (UFEC); Antonio Martín, President of the Association of Basketball Clubs (ACB), among other distinguished authorities, and representatives of Catalan Basketball people.

The event started with a short introduction by Olga Viza, presenter of the event and renowned sports journalist, who was in charge of welcoming all the attendees as well as giving a short introduction to the Centenary. Next, a video was shown that introduced the commemorative image of this Centenary which, conceptually, is based on the initial jump: a unique and characteristic action of our sport.

Then, the institutional parliaments began with the opening speech of President Aril, who pointed out the pride of the arrival of a Centenary that becomes an opportunity and, at the same time, a responsibility to be protagonists of the commemorative acts of 100 years of life of the Federation and Catalan Basketball. Aril also wanted to publicly thank the work done by the former presidents of the FCBQ, and took the opportunity to highlight the exciting year that has just begun, a time to enjoy, share and celebrate with all the agents of Catalan Basketball, whom encourages to continue to walk together and to face and overcome the upcoming challenges.

In addition, on the occasion of the Centenary, the Catalan Basketball Federation will unify and adapt its trophies, balls and other elements to the new corporate graphic image of this ephemeris. Next, the Catalan Basketball Centenary Manifesto was read, which gathers all the values represented by the Centenary, its claim and the official hashtag: #a100ambelBàsquet.

At the end, it was the turn of Pere Francitorra, President of the Centenary Committee and Vice-President of the FCBQ, who presented the program of Catalan Basketball activities planned for the whole of 2023, designed to make everyone a participant in this Centenary, combining sporting but also recreational, social and cultural activities, seeking to be present throughout Catalonia and providing coverage to the entire territory.

Women's Basketball Promise or the realization of the Senior Basketball Coach Course in Catalonia, among other activities and events that will be gradually incorporated and which can be found by clicking here. In the end, Francitorra has called on all the clubs and affiliated entities of the Federation to make this ephemeris their own and to participate openly and actively throughout the year in the various initiatives and actions proposed.

Finally, in the turn of the parliaments of the authorities, Anna Caula, General Secretary of Sport and Physical Activity of the Generalitat of Catalonia, congratulated the FCBQ for these 100 years and emphasized that the Catalan Basketball Federation is "a point of reference in Catalonia", for its "involvement with the whole territory and for its commitment to women's and adapted basketball", being the Federation with the most federated athletes: "It is 100 years old but the Catalan Basketball Federation has a heart that beats very healthily". Caula added, moreover, that Catalonia "is what it is thanks to this Catalan sports DNA, which is unique, and that as a country we must get rid of it".

Josep Monràs, Deputy for Education, Sports and Youth of the Barcelona Diputació, joined in the congratulations and emphasized, above all, the importance of the transmission of values and education in sport: "Basketball, beyond winning or losing, continues to educate boys and girls, and that is a central pillar." Monràs, in addition, wanted to send a congratulations to all the presidents who have led the FCBQ throughout these many years "and to all the people, professional and voluntary, who have worked day by day for basketball throughout these years".

Finally, the Councilor for Sports of the Barcelona City Council, David Escudé, explained that for the city of Barcelona "it is a source of pride" to host a centenary Federation and, apart from congratulating the FCBQ for the "good work done in these 100 years", encouraged Catalan Basketball to continue working with the same enthusiasm for the future.