• 21 December 2025 marks the 3rd edition of World Basketball Day.

• What? World Basketball Day 2025
• When? 21 December 2025
• 2025 Observance: 3rd
• 1st observance: 21 December 2023
• Significance: Marks the anniversary of the first basketball game played in 1891.

Background:
Sport Origin: Basketball was invented on 21 December 1891 by Dr. James Naismith at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts, the United States of America (USA), and the term “basketball” was coined by him in the same year.
UN Resolution: On 25 August 2023, the United Nations General Assembly (GA) adopted resolution A/RES/77/324 proclaiming 21 December as World Basketball Day.
First Observance: World Basketball Day was observed for the first time on 21 December 2023.
Sustainable Development: The UNGA recognizes basketball as a catalyst for the 2030 Agenda, highlighting sport as a key enabler of sustainable development, especially Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
Basketball’s Global Reach:
Governing Body: The International Basketball Federation or  Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) oversees basketball worldwide.
World Cup: The FIBA Basketball World Cup is held every four years.
Olympics Legacy: Basketball has been an Olympic sport since 1936, with women’s basketball debuting in 1976.
FIBA Meet: In 2023, delegates gathered at the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland, marking the first-ever such occasion.
Professional Leagues: The National Basketball League (NBL) (1936) , National Basketball Association (NBA) (1946), Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) (1975), and Basketball Africa League (BAL) (2019) showcase basketball’s global professional growth.
Women’s Growth: Women first played basketball in 1892, and the sport has grown significantly since then.
About International Basketball Federation or  Fédération Internationale de Basketball (FIBA):
President – Sheikh Saud Ali Al Thani
Headquarters – Mies, Switzerland
Established – 1932