The unique project "Only You Decide" is an investment in the (sports) future of young people and is now taking place in 16 locations across the Netherlands. Over the past 5-6 years, I've had the pleasure of hosting several opening shows for this project.
It's early Monday morning and I'm unloading my gear for the school at 7:30 a.m. It promises to be a special day, because I'll be performing my new LED show. Fun fact: the night before, I programmed the entire sequence of my LED outfit so that the colors and timing match the visuals in the background.
The school doors have now opened, and several young people are already peeking at the taped-off doors. The LED show, of course, looks better in the dark. Ambassador and former international Chip Jones speaks passionately about the impact of the "Only You Decide" project. Chip and I played together in the early 2000s when we did international shows. I played freestyle basketball, and he dunked.
The young people are impressed as they enter the hall. During the show, I hear funny comments from the audience, like "Wow, does he have three hands or something?" and "This can't be real!?" Gym teacher Jos and I respond nicely to the comment "I can do that too," and this naturally sparks interaction with the students. The young people are made aware of the importance of team sports, and Chip and I talk about what basketball has meant to us. We end the day with a 1-on-3 game; I've promised it to a few boys I know through my BMI foundation. As I walk through the school, I see a young person I know from basketball every few meters. It's these moments of respect and happy recognition that make you realize how much of an impact we've already made.
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