The 3rd DIBF Seminar was successfully held via Zoom on Sunday, June 1, bringing together participants from around the world for meaningful discussions on the development of Deaf basketball. This year’s seminar featured guest speaker Jürgen Endress, who shared his personal experiences and valuable insights during his presentation, “The Evolution of Deaf Basketball and Partnership.” The event covered important topics such as international collaboration, the growth of Deaf basketball communities, and strategies for building stronger partnerships between federations. With 20 participants in attendance, the seminar created a dynamic space for Q&A sessions, networking, and sharing of perspectives—marking a significant step forward in promoting unity, development, and shared purpose in the global Deaf basketball community.
Endress’s message emphasized the importance of partnership in achieving growth and sustainability in Deaf basketball. One of his standout points was the need to preserve traditional 5×5 men’s and women’s teams while also expanding into the fast-growing 3×3 format. He likened this development to nurturing a tree with deep roots—where strong foundations within clubs, organizations, and federations are built through empowerment and team-oriented leadership.
He reminded attendees that progress begins with the individual: “If I have a vision, I must bring people together and commit to a team effort to make it a reality.”
DIBF remains committed to supporting this journey by offering toolkits, resources, and guidance, and by investing in future generations through camps, leadership development, and youth engagement—patiently planting seeds to grow tomorrow’s leaders in Deaf basketball.
