"We took over the sports club [in 2007] and brought it back to life, promoting something different from competitive sport - social and integration projects," said Gianfranco Santi, the vice-president of SS Lazio Basket. "Team sports can help people develop a conscience and respect for rules that are necessary in life," he added.

Migrants, regardless of age, height and whether they are experts or beginners, get a chance to play basketball at the parish church of Santa Maria del Soccordo. Thirty migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa who are staying at hosting centers in eastern Rome are taking part in the initiative, which runs through September. 

Players include young Italians living in the capital's suburbs."I like this sport a lot. This is the second time I'm coming here," said Abdullah, 23, from Burkina Faso. "I met other people here and I want to stay in the team," he added. This moment "is very important for me," said Philip from Senegal. He said he used to play basketball back home.

The sports club won a European competition for the Welcome project, which funds initiatives for the integration of refugees and asylum seekers as a part of Erasmus plus. Team members will soon be able to play games ''not against each other but together." 

"Our objective is to take them to a high level, not from a technical standpoint but of integration. We hope our method with attract others," the organizers say.