Basketball Manitoba says it will no longer use the term midget in its leagues, becoming the first sports organization to make the move in the province.
This comes after a meeting with the Little People of Manitoba last month to discuss banning the term, which is considered derogatory.
The term is typically used in leagues where athletes from 15-17 years old compete.
Basketball Manitoba said some of their local leagues still use the term, but will have to either find a different name or use the actual age of the athletes.
READ MORE: “It’s very derogatory”: Sport Manitoba open to banning use of term “midget”
“It’s time we move away as a sport from using a term that has a long negative history in society and ensures basketball is as welcoming and inclusive as possible,” said Basketball Manitoba president Ross Wedlake.
Little People of Manitoba president Samantha Rayburn-Trubyk said they met with 16 people from various Manitoba sports organizations during the January meeting and described it as a very positive conversation and expects “lots of positive change coming.”
READ MORE: Time to find a new term for midget hockey
“To have (Basketball Manitoba’s) support and respect is truly unbelievable. For this, we are truly and forever grateful,” Rayburn-Trubyk said.
WATCH: Sport Manitoba open to banning use of term “midget”
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