July 27, 2015
Ambassador Uyehara gives remarks at the camp opening in Bar
Joint photo of the Ambassador, organizers and participants
On Monday, July 27, U.S. Ambassador to Montenegro Margaret Ann Uyehara opened a regional basketball camp at Sports Center “Topolica” in Bar. This annual camp is organized and funded jointly by the U.S. Embassy in Podgorica and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Mayor of Bar Zoran Srzentic also attended the opening ceremony.
The July 27-30 camp gathers eight coaches and 40 male and female athletes, ages 15-18, from Albania, Croatia, Kosovo and Montenegro. Participants work with eight U.S. coaches, all of whom are former basketball players from Georgetown University. The project is led by Sead Dizdarevic, a Georgetown alumnus originally from Bijelo Polje.
This is the seventh year that the U.S. Embassy in Montenegro has partnered with Georgetown University to carry out this program. The Basketball Diplomacy project highlights the importance of sports and education for young people and promotes regional and interethnic cooperation and tolerance through sports. In addition to basketball practices, the youth participate in leadership workshops and volunteer activities in Bar. On Wednesday, July 29, Georgetown basketball alumni will compete against former Bar basketball players in an informal game.
The men’s and women’s basketball teams of Georgetown University (known as the Georgetown Hoyas) are two of the top teams in college basketball. Approximately 45 former Hoyas teammates have gone on to play in the NBA or WNBA.
