Lithuanian Sports University and Lithuanian Basketball Federation have signed a cooperation agreement

On November 5, a cooperation agreement between Lithuanian Sports University (LSU) and Lithuanian Basketball Federation (LKF) was signed establishing relations between the new social partners. It was signed by LSU Rector Prof. Dr. Diana Rėklaitienė and the President of Lithuanian Basketball Federation Arvydas Sabonis. Secretary General of LKF Mindaugas Špokas, LSU Vice-Rector for Sport and Partnership Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vidas Bružas and Head of LSU Centre of Basketball Studies and Research Ramūnas Butautas took part in the event.

Under this cooperation agreement, LSU undertakes to provide qualification development possibilities for the specialists sent by LKF, to ensure access to LSU methodological material and facilities, as well as participation of the university representatives in the events organized by LKF.

LKF will advise LSU staff on the development of study programmes; it has been planned to commission research and testing in the field of sport and health promotion. Whenever possible, LKF will provide LSU students with opportunities to go on internship at LKF, and will invite University specialists to the meetings, conferences, seminars, courses, sporting and other events organized by LKF. LSU and LKF are planning to carry out other joint projects related to sports science, education, sport and health promotion activities.

„We had been cooperating before the agreement was signed, so we will continue to develop our joint work. The University activities are indistinguishable from federations and sport in general, and basketball in particular,” says LSU Rector Prof. Dr. D. Rėklaitienė. “The Basketball Federation knows what is needed in practice; the representatives from the Federation are included in our study programme committees, invited to various events and meetings.

This year, we founded the Centre of Basketball Studies and Research, headed by Ramūnas Butautas, who also works as an athletic director in the Federation. So, we hope the University and the Basketball Federation will work together successfully.”

According to the LKF President A. Sabonis, professional basketball coaches trained at LSU are needed for basketball to remain the most popular sport in Lithuania. “Another important thing is the new Law on Sport and the new procedure on coach licensing that comes into effect in 2021. Those who wish to continue working as coaches but have no higher education degree in sport will be required to graduate from university. We do not issue diplomas, but we can study and get a diploma at Lithuanian Sports University,” said the LKF President.