Thirty five years of Teamwork, Passion and Inclusion: The Story of Virtus Basketball
For more than 40 years, Virtus has created opportunities for athletes with an intellectual disability to compete, excel and belong. Basketball has been one of the organisation’s finest sports throughout this journey, growing into one of the largest and most successful programmes within the Virtus movement.
Virtus competitions follow the rules of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), with a small number of adaptations to meet the needs of Virtus athletes while maintaining the integrity and excitement of the sport.
Three Decades of International Competition
The international journey of Virtus Basketball began in 1992, when Madrid hosted the first Global Games. Seven years later, Poland welcomed the inaugural European Championships, laying the foundation for an international competition pathway that continues to grow today.
Over the past three decades, Virtus has organised 18 major international championships, including 9 World Championships and 9 European Championships. Hosted across Europe, Asia, Oceania and South America, these events have welcomed athletes from an ever-growing number of nations while continually raising the standard of international basketball. Basketball has also featured at every edition of the Global Games, making it one of the longest-standing and most popular sports in the Virtus programme.
Today, Virtus Basketball is played in more than 50 member nations, bringing together athletes through teamwork, skill and determination. The programme offers both the traditional 5×5 format and the fast-paced 3×3 game, creating more opportunities for athletes of all abilities to compete internationally.
Basketball was also one of the first sports for athletes with an intellectual disability to feature at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, alongside athletics, swimming and table tennis. Although the sport has not yet returned to the Paralympic programme, Virtus has continued to provide elite international competition through its own championships and the Virtus Global Games.
A New Era: The Formation of the VIBF
A major milestone in the sport’s history came with the establishment of the Virtus International Basketball Federation (VIBF), providing basketball with its own dedicated international governing body in 2025.
Today, the VIBF leads the development of basketball for athletes with an intellectual disability, overseeing international competitions, supporting member nations and creating new pathways for athletes around the world. The organisation continues to promote both 5×5 and 3×3 basketball, with 3×3 playing an important role in expanding participation and creating more opportunities, particularly for women.
The VIBF is supported by distinguished patrons, such as legendary Basketball Administrator Lorraine Landon OAM, former NBA coach Brett Brown, former French Olympic basketball player Emmeline Ndongue, Central Asia Basketball Association President Abay Alpamissov, whose expertise continues to strengthen the sport’s global development.
Looking to the Future
As Virtus celebrates its 40th anniversary, basketball continues to grow in participation, quality and international reach. Regional Games across Europe, the Americas and Asia-Oceania, together with the Virtus Global Games, are providing more opportunities than ever before for athletes to compete on the world stage.
This remarkable journey has been built through the dedication of the Virtus Basketball Committee, the VIBF, athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and member organisations who have helped shape the programme over the past four decades.
From the first World Championships in Greece to the courts of the Virtus Global Games, Virtus Basketball has become much more than a competition. It is a story of teamwork, inclusion and opportunity that continues to inspire new generations of athletes.
If you know someone with an intellectual disability or autism who would like to compete in the VIBF Basketball programme, encourage them to contact their national Virtus member organisation, apply for eligibility and begin their journey towards international competition, including the 2026 VIBF 3×3 World Cup in Thailand and the Virtus Global Games Cairo 2027.
