On Wednesday, Mayor of Tallinn Mihhail Kõlvart (Center) awarded Estonian Basketball Association president Priit Sarapuu with a recognition and a letter of thanks.

"The Estonian Basketball Association's 'Korvpall 100' program contained many dignified events, both international and local, also including social initatives. In the big picture, that is what we expect from a sports association," Kõlvar justified the pick.

Sarapuu said Tallinn is a sports city and being awarded for the sports initative of the year is an honor. "Estonian basketball turned 100 last year and we tried celebrating it as an association. We organized the Baltic Chain Tournament, first international sports competition after the first coronavirus outbreak, opened the Alexela Arena at the Snelli pond, tidied up outdoor courts and organized a Guinness World Record event. Tallinn was undoubtedly the center of events and a big thank you to the city for this recognition, for supporting and popularizing basketball," Sarapuu said.

Sports events that enriched the capital city's sports life and culture were able to apply for the recognition.

The "Eesti Korvpall 100" events awarded as the city's best sports events of the year included a EuroBasket qualifier between Estonia and Italy and the Baltic Chain Tournament, which also marked the first time Estonia beat Lithuania after restoring independence in 1991. The association also organized a "bubble" environment at Saku Suurhall for EuroBasket qualifiers.

As Sarapuu noted, the Alexela Arena 3x3 court was opened, several courts were renovated and a free throw record campaign was held during World Cleanup Day, which saw Estonians set a world record for most free throws hit in one day - 114,357.

The other events nominated for the recognition were the Merko Cup tennis tournament, Tallinn's orienteering days, Ironman Tallinn, the Tallinn Marathon and Night Run Estonia.

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