In an effort to raise awareness among athletes about the importance of sports integrity and the harms of match-fixing, more than 300 players and coaches participating in the Basketball Development League 2024, of NBB Caixa, attended a workshop to discuss the topic.
“Athlete awareness of integrity issues is extremely relevant, especially considering all the existing risks and the current problematic scenario in which several athletes here in Brazil have been sanctioned due to improper involvement with match-fixing,” says Tiago Horta Barbosa, head of integrity LatAm at Genius Sports.
To build an integrity-driven environment in basketball, last week Genius Sports, Abradie (Associação Brasileira de Defesa da Integridade do Esporte), and NBB CAIXA (Novo Basquete Brasil), in partnership, conducted integrity workshops (virtual and in-person) for all players of the 26 teams involved in the current edition of the Basketball Development League 2024.
“The world of betting and sports have long walked side by side. For this coexistence to be healthy, however, it is essential to teach athletes how to navigate this reality without making serious mistakes that could compromise their careers and personal lives,” highlights Tiago Horta.
“I am extremely honored to have had the privilege of leading this initiative and the chance to speak with so many young athletes about the dangers associated with betting and competition manipulation. Sharing knowledge about sports integrity with young people is always an enriching experience, and this time was no different,” he added.
“By educating athletes early on, we are preparing them to make the right ethical decisions and resist the temptation of seeking quick financial gains that can destroy their careers and also affect the credibility of the entire sports system.”
“It is crucial that we continue to educate and raise awareness among our athletes, ensuring they are prepared to face ethical challenges and committed to contributing to the preservation of sports integrity,” he concluded.
Guilherme Buso, VP Brazil at Genius Sports, emphasized: “An excellent initiative by Genius Sports together with NBB CAIXA in the work of preventing match-fixing and integrity in sports related to sports betting. More than 300 under-22 athletes from teams competing in the 'Liga de Desenvolvimento de Basquete' (LDB) participated in these workshops, a commendable initiative for high-level guidance on sports integrity, combating match-fixing, and providing guidance to athletes to show them that this also protects their careers.”
“Congratulations to the league management for always being attentive and willing to make a difference in Brazilian sports,” praised Buso.
Source: GMB
