The Speaker of the Seimas proposes to declare April 23 as Basketball Day

He prepared and registered the corresponding amendment to the Commemorative Days Act.

“The project was motivated by the desire to nationally honor basketball – a sport with exceptional historical, cultural, and national significance for Lithuania,” J. Olekas states in the project explanatory note.

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According to him, the aim is to establish state respect for basketball as a phenomenon that strengthens national identity, unity, and patriotism, and to encourage physical activity, healthy living, and civic engagement among the population.

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April 23 was chosen because on that day in 1922 the first official basketball game in Lithuania took place – the teams of the Lithuanian Physical Education Union (LFLS) and the Kaunas selection met; LFLS celebrated victory with a score of 8:6.

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This date is considered the birth day of Lithuanian basketball.

Currently, over 100 commemorative days are established in the Commemorative Days Act.