This past August 2007, my family and I had the wonderful opportunity of visiting Cyprus and the PeacePlayers International program being conducted there. Despite the arduous trip there (we took the "long route", through Budapest, Hungary) it was well worth our personal expense. Not only did my two teenage sons learn firsthand about historic divisions and strife that exists in a world outside the comfort zone of the United States but they learned how dedication and commitment to promote peace and understanding can truly make a difference. 

The beauty of the island belies the deep seated divisions among Cypriots of Greek and Turkish descent.  There is no better way to understand the intensity of the divisions than to speak with Cypriots from both sides and to walk across the "Green Line", which separates the Greek Cypriot communities from the Turkish Cypriot communities and is monitored by UN troops.  The differences are stark and eerie when one considers that this should be one country and one people united under the same flag.  

Contrasting the political and ethnic divide is the warmth of the children and the dedication from both Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot instructors.  The opportunity to play basketball and interact among each other and among their counterparts demonstrated to my family and me that there is hope for reconciliation through the children, the game of basketball and the values that are taught through the game.  The innocence and the willingness to embrace differences as well as the seeking of common ground characterized our observation of the children throughout Cyprus.  As they participated with me in conducting two clinics (one in Kyrenia along the coast and the other in Agros, located in the beautiful Troodos Mountains), my kids felt a special kinship with both groups and developed a real understanding of what it means to be a citizen of the world through seeking and finding that common ground. 

A special thanks goes to Brian Shea, the managing director of PPI-Cyprus, whose dedication and leadership has brought the program to a level where meaningful change can be seen and felt.  His attention to teaching more than mere basketball but respect, tolerance and teamwork, among other virtues, has had a major impact not just upon the children but upon the adult instructors who work under his supervision.  There exists a true camaraderie among instructors from both sides of the "Green Line". 

All in all, my family and I accomplished our mission of deeper understanding of conflict within Cyprus and the value of PPI's contribution to presenting solutions.   I would encourage anyone with an interest in making a difference globally, including and most especially my fellow members of the National Basketball Retired Players Association, to take the time and participate in one of the PPI programs around the world.  It will only boost one's optimism and belief in the capacity of world humanity to ultimately share a warm and firm symbolic embrace.  

Len Elmore, President

National Basketball Retired Players Association

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