The French Embassy in Cyprus, in collaboration with the nonprofit organization United Sports Cyprus (USC), held a press conference on Saturday to present an initiative aimed at empowering young girls through basketball. The event took place at the outdoor basketball court of the Ledra Palace Hotel, located in Nicosia’s buffer zone.

French Ambassador to Cyprus, Clélia Séverin Kolatsko, highlighted the initiative’s importance as a tool to promote dialogue, trust, and friendship among Cyprus’s diverse communities.

Stefani Nicholas, founder and director of United Sports Cyprus, opened the conference, describing the program as more than just a sports initiative. “This program is about bridging social divides, developing leadership skills, and inspiring a lifelong love for sports among girls aged 5 to 8 from all communities in Cyprus,” she stated.

Ambassador Kolatsko emphasized the French Embassy’s support for the initiative, explaining that since last September, young girls from various communities across Cyprus have participated in weekly basketball training sessions.

“This initiative demonstrates how sports can act as a bridge between people from different backgrounds, offering opportunities to overcome barriers,” she noted.

She commended Stefani Nicholas for her vision and dedication, adding that the French Embassy immediately adopted the project as part of its efforts to promote Olympic values ahead of the Paris 2024 Games.

“Indeed, this program goes beyond the basketball courts, rooted in a shared passion—basketball. It harnesses the power of sports to create a space for dialogue between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot youth, who play together as a bicommunal team,” she added.

The initiative, titled “Empowering Youth Through Basketball,” seeks to unite the two communities by encouraging young girls to play together as members of a bicommunal team.

Ambassador Kolatsko underscored the pride of the French Embassy in supporting this project, aligning with France’s efforts to promote sports as a vehicle for sustainable development, positively impacting education, health, equality, and inclusion.

“Sports is a unique and powerful tool for strengthening social bonds and bringing people together. Through its values and universal nature, sports offer an alternative pathway where traditional approaches often fail,” she remarked.

The ambassador expressed her belief that these young girls represent the future of Cyprus and hoped the experience would help them preserve the spirit of dialogue and collaboration.

The initiative, she concluded, aligns with France’s commitment to sustainable development and leveraging sports as a means for education, health, equality, and inclusion. It stands as a beacon of hope for Cyprus’s future, demonstrating how local actions can build bridges and promote lasting peace.