Basketball in the Shadow of Right-Wing Extremism

As I stepped onto the court in Jena, I couldn’t help but notice the unease in the air. The Thuringian town, nestled in the heart of Germany, is known for its rich basketball tradition, but these days, it’s not just the game that’s on everyone’s mind. The rising tide of right-wing extremism in the region has cast a shadow over the sport, and the local teams are struggling to cope.

Basketball players in Thuringia are feeling the impact of right-wing extremism

For Bjorn Harmsen, the coach of the Jena team, the situation is becoming increasingly dire. ‘We’re having trouble recruiting German players who want to bring their families here,’ he told me. ‘The theme of right-wing extremism and the political development in Thuringia is playing a bigger and bigger role.’ The region is set to go to the polls in September, and a recent Forsa survey puts the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party at 30% of the vote, making it the clear front-runner.

The situation is just as dire in Erfurt, where coach Florian Gut is struggling to attract young German players with migrant backgrounds. ‘They and their parents are bringing up the topic of right-wing extremism during negotiations,’ he said. ‘They’re worried about racism and the rise of the far-right.’ The concerns are not just about the players themselves, but about the entire family. As one player’s parent put it, ‘We don’t want our child to have to deal with this kind of hatred.’

The trainers’ own experiences with right-wing extremism may be in the past, but they still serve as a stark warning. ‘There have to be certain values and norms that everyone adheres to,’ Harmsen said. ‘If we allow these boundaries to be crossed and this kind of behavior to become accepted, it’s a recipe for disaster.’ The coaches are speaking out against the rising tide of populism and extremism, and they’re not alone.

A basketball team in Erfurt is struggling to attract new players

As I watched the Jena team practice, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease. The players were all focused on the game, but the weight of the outside world was palpable. It’s not just about the sport; it’s about the kind of society we want to build. As Harmsen put it, ‘We have to have basic rules and we can’t let them shift.’

The situation in Thuringia is a wake-up call for all of us. We can’t just sit back and watch as extremism and hatred take hold. We have to speak out, and we have to act. The basketball teams in Jena and Erfurt are doing just that, and we can all learn from their example.

Right-wing extremism is on the rise in Thuringia

As I left the court, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of hope. Despite the challenges they’re facing, the teams in Jena and Erfurt are refusing to give up. They’re standing up against extremism and fighting for a better future. We can all learn from their courage and determination.

For more information on the situation in Thuringia, check out the official website of the Thuringian state government.

This article is part of a series on the impact of right-wing extremism on sports in Germany. Stay tuned for more stories from the front lines.