There is no place for outbursts of aggression in youth sports, which is why the Latvian Basketball Union (LBS) is launching the campaign “Don’t Be Stained!”, focusing primarily on educating coaches, said LBS Secretary General Kaspars Ciprus in an interview with Latvian Television.
The campaign against aggression in youth sports reminds us that the problem lies not only in the inadequate reactions of parents but also sometimes in coaches who become too passionate while directing the games of young basketball players.
There are about 400 coaches in basketball, and sometimes, indeed, someone gets too heated on the sidelines, succumbing to emotionally aggressive outbursts, acknowledged Kaspars Ciprus.
Moreover, coaches also influence the behavior of the players' parents. But the LBS urges everyone to remember that in youth basketball, winning is not the main priority.
“In the youth system, no matter what anyone thinks, medals are not a priority. The priority is a safe environment, the desire to play, the desire to participate in such projects,” noted Kaspars Ciprus. “This year, we have over 9,000 children playing basketball. It is clear that 98% will never play professionally, but 98-97% of them should retain the desire to play basketball, a love for the game. Because after that, they may become referees, sports officials, secretaries, or coaches.”
Basketball is one of the most popular sports, so any incident that draws negative publicity becomes very loud, Ciprus reflected.
He reminded that sometimes an aggressive environment is not only a problem in basketball, as it occurs in almost all contact sports, both team and individual. Earlier, the LBS, as part of the campaign, urged fans to refrain from aggression and support their team wholeheartedly but with respect.
“This is a common problem in sports, it is a common problem in the state education system. Violence exists not only in sports; violence is also present in educational institutions,” emphasized Kaspars Ciprus.
This weekend, the finals of the Latvian Youth League will begin, which will also contribute to the LBS's efforts to address these issues on the basketball court. Kaspars Ciprus described the situation as tragic and regrettable when it comes to adults who cannot control their emotions in youth sports. The LBS believes that even a successful campaign will not eradicate the problem, but certain actions are necessary.
There is no police in basketball that can immediately punish anyone, but the LBS will strive by all means to remind that displays of aggression in youth and junior sports are unacceptable. Adults should not project their problems onto youth sports, emphasized Kaspars Ciprus.
The Secretary General of the LBS highly appreciated the effective response of the Tukums municipality, which suspended the director of the Kandava Children’s and Youth Sports School, Varis Krūmiņš, for three months for possible violations during basketball competitions in the Czech Republic.
According to unofficial information, which is still being verified, the coach allegedly used emotional and physical violence against children during the tournament while under the influence of alcohol and also used foul language.
Alcohol and violence are no longer solutions in modern society, and methods that may have been used in Soviet times are unacceptable in Latvia, added Kaspars Ciprus.
