The U.S. Embassy in Tashkent in collaboration with the Uzbek Ministry of Public Education is hosting players from the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team April 27 through May 5, 2019. “Zeus” McClurkin,“TNT” Lister, and team publicist, Brett Meister will conduct a series of basketball workshops for schoolchildren from different regions and present their T.E.A.M. UP program designed to reduce bullying in schools, teach peaceful conflict resolution skills, and encourage teamwork among children.
The opening ceremony took place on April 29 at school No. 211 in Tashkent, where the team also held master classes with Tashkent physical education teachers and pupils of secondary schools. From April 30 to May 2, the team will travel around the country, holding workshops in the Namangan, Andijon and Fergana regions.
“TNT and Zeus are here to support our partnership with the Ministry of Public Education to create a supportive learning environment for schoolchildren. By learning to work together and resolve our differences with words – not violence – school can become a place where every child feels safe and respected,” said Charge d’Affaires Alan Meltzer at the opening ceremony.
The Harlem Globetrotters program is part of a wider sports diplomacy and bullying prevention initiative between the Embassy and the Ministry of Public Education. Last year a team of seven coaches from three different regions of Uzbekistan traveled to the United States to participate in a two-week training program for basketball professionals. This year, Fulbright Scholar Laurie Wolfe is training school psychologists around the country in bullying prevention.
The Harlem Globetrotters represent nine decades of breaking down barriers, acts of goodwill and teaching positive conflict resolution skills. They combine athleticism, theater, and comedy in their style of play and workshops. Over the years, the Globetrotters have played more than 26,000 exhibition games in 123 countries. The team is excited to include Uzbekistan to this list.
