sports

By Samuel Ouma

Former US President Barrack Obama has joined the National Basketball Association (NBA) Africa as a strategic partner to help advance social responsibility efforts across the continent, announced the association on Tuesday.

He will be the minority stakeholder in the organization, a position he intends to use in the future to fund Obama Foundation youth and leadership programs across Africa.

“By investing in communities, promoting gender equality, and cultivating the love of the game of basketball, I believe that NBA Africa can make a difference for so many of Africa’s young people,” said Obama.

In the release, the ex-POTUS highlighted his love for the sport during his tenure. He noted that his father, a Kenyan, made him love the game when he gave him his first basketball at age 10.

“The NBA has always been a great ambassador for the United States—using the game to create deeper connections around the world, and in Africa, basketball has the power to promote opportunity, wellness, equality, and empowerment across the continent,” he stated.

NBA Africa is making tremendous progress in Africa, including running Basket Africa League, inaugurated in May 2021 featuring 12 teams. It also expands the NBA’s presence in priority African markets, deepening the league’s engagement with players and fans across the continent and growing Africa’s basketball ecosystem through programs like the Jr. NBA, Basketball Without Borders (BWB) and NBA Academy Africa.

“I’ve been impressed by the league’s commitment to Africa, including the leadership shown by so many African players who want to give back to their own countries and communities.  That’s why I’m proud to join the team at NBA Africa and look forward to a partnership that benefits the youth of so many countries.”

“The NBA has always been a great ambassador for the United States—using the game to create deeper connections around the world, and in Africa,” he added.

By Boris Esono Nwenfor*

On April 18, the global sporting world was united against the proposed European Super League which will involve a select few participating years in year out. European governing body, UEFA was against the idea and even FIFA’s President Gianni Infantino was against the idea.

Within a couple of hours, the majority of the clubs involved in the proposed league backtracked and the competition died an untimely death. Football breathes a sigh of relief not knowing that this same idea had been proposed to the African continent by a man who was against the ESL idea, Gianni Infantino. 

This, therefore, begs the question of what the motive Gianni Infantino has on the continent and if he had a share of the cake with the European Super League he would have a campaign against it.

A close-shop like the European Super League

Infantino raised the idea first in 2019 saying it would comprise 20 permanent member clubs plus others that would qualify via regional competitions, predicting the Super League with a payment of $20m every year over five years would have the potential to generate a revenue of $3 billion over a five-year cycle.

The creation of an African Super League could make it one of the top ten football competitions in the world, changing the financial reality of football on the continent, according to the FIFA President.

“We have had some serious problems in Africa and it has to change. It has to change the way of how to do business, it has to take on board the basic elements of good governance,” he said.

“There needs to be proper competition infrastructure. I think it is fair to say that the competitions in Africa are 30-to-40 times less successful than in Europe,” he said on Monday.

The criteria for selecting the 20 clubs have yet to be made known which beg the question Will it be based on the CAF club coefficient? On historical performance? On club profile and followership? And what will happen to the CAF Confederations Cup and CAF Champions League?

Al Ahly, reigning African champions and the most successful club in the continent’s history, is reportedly vehemently opposed to the idea. However, other clubs have already jumped on the bag wagon and campaigning for a place in the proposed new competition.

Simba CEO Barbara Gonzalez after the election of the new CAF President promptly tweeted to the effect that plans to execute the Super League were underway.

“It was great catching up with FIFA President, Gianni Infantino on the sidelines of the CAF Elections 2021. The rollout of the African Super League with 20 permanent member clubs is underway. We look forward to having Simba SC Tanzania participate soon.”

CAF President Patrice Motsepe in Support of African Super League

The hand of Infantino is impossible to miss in the politics of the continent’s football, and so it was that, upon the confirmation of Motsepe, he was present. FIFA president was seen as a close ally of the former CAF President Ahmad Ahmad who was banned from football-related activities due to mismanagement.

And it seems the new CAF President Patrice Motsepe is looking to be an ally of Infantino with the CAF President already loving the idea saying it was needed to improve the game on the continent and make it financially viable.

“We are assessing and in preliminary discussions to start an inclusive and broadly supported and beneficial CAF African Super League,” he said in a statement. “We have been following the attempts by some top European clubs to form a Euro Super League and will learn from their experience and pitfalls.”

Motsepe said CAF, which is African football’s controlling body, must consider new competitions to generate additional income for itself and its member associations and “also contribute to African football becoming globally competitive and self-sustaining.”

Motsepe, who took on the job in March, also said that CAF’s image needed improving. “There is a poor perception of CAF concerning its adherence to governance, auditing, ethical, and financial and management good practices,” he said.

Dr Patrice Motsepe added: “These negative perceptions may, to some extent, be confirmed by the incriminating and damning audit which identified irregular, unethical and improper transactions and conduct.”

“CAF should be seen as a body that adheres to good governance, ethics and financial and management best practices. It is also important that the quality of [our] competitions are globally competitive and appealing to spectators, viewers and interested parties in Africa and globally.”

Why is the world silent about the African Super League?

On April 18, the birth of the European Super League was announced by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez to the dissatisfaction of managers, players and European and World Football governing bodies.

“I can only say my personal opinion. I do not like it and hopefully, it does not happen,” Liverpool player James Milner said about the proposition of the ESL.

“I fell in love with popular football, with the football of the fans, with the dream of seeing the team of my heart compete against the greatest,” PSG Player Ander Herrera wrote on Twitter.

“If this European Super League advances, those dreams are over, the illusions of the fans of the teams that are not giants of being able to win on the field competing in the best competition will end.”

The world seems to be silent on this idea being proposed by FIFA President on the African continent. The voices who were against the ESL seemingly have forgotten about that being proposed to Africa.

“What this accurately conveys is that, for all that the proposed profit margins are heady and exciting; the demand for an African Super League is pretty much nil. It is an idea that, in its current guise, benefits no agenda but Fifa’s,” Solace Chukwu wrote in a piece for Goal.

*Culled from July Issue of PAV Magazine

By Lamrana Barrie

On Thursday 22^nd July the executive committee of the Sierra Leone football Association appointed the chairman of Bo Rangers Babadi Kamara as the new team manager of Leone Stars.

A press release by the Sierra Leone football Association states that the appointment came as a result of preparation for the 2022 African cup Nation. The committee approved the appointment of Babadi Kamara as the new team manager of Sierra Leone National Men’s Team Leone Stars.

Furthermore SLFA is expecting Kamara to commence work in his new office immediately as his contract is subject to renewal, which will come to an end on the 31^st July 2023.

Babadi Kamara has been an active member in Sierra Leone football .He was with the team that traveled to Guinea and is also the chairman for Bo Rangers football club.

The Sierra Leone Football Association encourages the General public to contact Babadi Kamara on any issues related to Leone Stars with effect from today Thursday 22^nd July 2022.

By Lamrana Barrie

On Saturday 17th July 2021, Leone Stars player Kei Kamara spoke about the $10,000 the president gave them for qualifying to Afcon 2022.

Kamara acknowledge that he has receive the $10,000 live on Facebook today, He said the Money was supposed to be shared among all the players that are on the campaign of the qualification, He also said even those that trained with the team but did not make it to the Final list should have a share.

“Me, Umaru and Keister discussed this on a meeting and agreed that everyone should have a share, about 57 players in total”, said.

He Further says that they discuss this with Thomas Daddy Brima about that he told them that they are the players if they decide to do that no problem.

Kei Kamara also spoke about the list that came out with 57 players he said the list is not a fake list of players and SLFA sat down together to give that list.

Kamara expressed concern that some of the officials who have already have the plots of land should not have the $10,000. He said they are being paid and should not have same match bonus like them.

He concluded by saying he stands for the players and they should have what they deserve.

By Lamrana Barrie 

 The ministry of finance release the sum of Le3,783,987,412 for sierra Leone to partake in the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic  which will be in Tokyo, Japan.

On the press release from the ministry of finance states that the 3.7 billions Leones have transferred  to the National Sport Authority account for them to disburse it to the National Olympic comitee.

On the press release the ministry of finance states that the Money is meant for Allowances, accommodation,feeding and other expenses including return for the Athletes and officials of both Olympic and Paralympic Games respectively.

Eric Batillo Fomba The media and communication man for the National Sport Authority on a phone conversation  confirm that the said amount on the press release from the ministry of finance has been receive by National Sport Authority

By Lamrana Barrie

25 year old Sullay Kaikai a Sierra Leonean international has signed a two year contract with English league one side  Wycombe Wanders from Blackpool.

Kaikai spent two years with Blackpool  and also played an important role for Blackpool to gain promotion to the championship.

Kaikai signed a two year contract today after Blackpool release him on a free transfer to Wycombe Wanders. In an interview after he has sign he express how delighted he is to be at the club.

He further went on to say he will help the team  promote to the championship this season and hope to bring excitement to the fans.

Sullay made his first debut for Sierra Leone against Benin, He played an important role to see Leone stars qualify to the Africa cup of Nation 2022.

By Lamrana Barrie

The Newly elected President of o f the Sierra Leone Football Association Thomas Daddy Brima departed Freetown yesterday to attend his first CAF members Association Presidents meeting holding in Casablanca Morocco on the 17th July, 2021.

In an Article from the official website page of the Sierra Leone Football Association confirmed that Thomas Daddy Brima arrived safely this morning  in Casablanca.

It Further states that after the meeting, Brima and CAF President Motsepe will witness the CAF champions league final between South Africa Kaiser Chiefs and Egypt Al Ahly at the Stade Mohamed(v) in Morocco.

Thomas Daddy Brima is expected to reunite with the former president of SLFA in Morocco, Madam Isha Johansen who is currently a member of FIFA council and CAF executive committee.

By Lamarana Barrie

Following the $10,000 the president promise each player for the qualification of the 2022 Africa cup of Nation in Cameroon, earlier this month the ministry of finance in a press release told the General public that 4.1 billions Leones has been deposited to the National Sport Authority account.

In a  press release from National Sport Authority yesterday confirm the disbursement of the 100,000,000 to the 11 official and the 30 players bank accounts.

The National Sport Authority further thanked the ministry of finance the players and officials for their tremendous effort.

By Samuel Ouma

The seven-times World Rally Champion Sebastian Ogiek has donated € 20000 to assist the needy access education and support wildlife conservancy in Kenya.

In a post on his Facebook account on Tuesday evening, the Frenchman said half of the amount would be channeled to the Nakuru Children’s Project. The other half will go to the Olpejeta Conservancy.

Nakuru Children’s Project is a UK-based charity that helps children achieve their dreams through education, whereas the Olpejeta Conservancy

works to conserve wildlife, provide a sanctuary for great apes, and generate income through wildlife tourism for re-investment in conservation and community development.

The donations come just a few weeks after Ogiek emerged Safari Rally Kenya champion. The race was held in the East African nation after nineteen years.

“A few weeks ago, we were celebrating our 4th win of the season at the World Rally Championship in Naivasha, with incredible support from locals in the most amazing nature. It was my first time in Africa and I was overwhelmed by the beauty of Kenya, the warm-hearted people and its incredible wildlife.This wonderful country has got a place in my heart,” wrote Ogiek.

“I will support the Nakuru Children’s Project  with 10,000 Euros and another 10,000 Euros to conserve wildlife at the Olpejeta Conservancy,” he further stated.

-82 delegates voted in favour of the adoption of the texts while 11 voted against with 2 null votes.

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

The extraordinary General Assembly of Cameroon’s Football governing body FECAFOOT finally took place this Tuesday, July 13after a dispute had ensued about the eligibility of the delegates to take part.

The adoption of the new statutes and texts for the structure paves the way forward for the election process to begin at the Departmental, Regional levels before the election at the National level will take place later this year. The texts were voted in conformity with the 2012 Statutes at FECAFOOT.

A total of 82 delegates voted in favour of the adoption of the texts while 11 delegates voted against its adoption. There were 2 null votes.

Cameroon’s Minister of Sports Professor Narcisse Mouelle Kombi had earlier suspended the holding of the General Assembly. In a letter addressed to FECAFOOT on July 8, Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi noted that the football governing body had disregarded the verdict of the Court of Arbitration for Sports taken on January 15, 2021, and that of the Chamber of Conciliation and Arbitration of Sports at the Cameroon National Olympic and Sporting Committee.

FECAFOOT on its part stated that on January 16, 2021, correspondence from FIFA through the Court of Arbitration for Sports recognized the acting executives and noted that their term of office will be terminated when new members have been voted into the Cameroon Football Federation.

As presented in the response by FECAFOOT, the 2009 mandate ended in 2013 according to points 181, 182, 187, 198 and 221 of the decision of the Court of Arbitration of January 15, 2021.

The present bureau led by its interim President Seidou Mbombo Njoya has been duly recognized by CAF and FIFA who backed the bureau and called for the General Assembly to be held as programmed. The African and World football governing bodies even went further to designate two delegates of their own to ensure that the process went on smoothly.

The decisions from CAF and FIFA seemed to be have been the last straw as the government officials who were against the General Assembly conceded and gave the go-ahead.

Additional changes on the 2012 Statutes and Texts

The new texts that take into account the electoral code, code of ethics and financial status of the football governing body has witnessed a slight change from the 2012 statutes and text. Some three vital changes were adopted to give Cameroon’s football that professional touch it has been longing for.

The delegates agreed on the dissolution of the Professional Football League and the creation of a new league in view. This is one of the stumbling blocks that have created problems in Cameroon. The issues of management led to “fighting” between the Professional led by General Pierre Semengue and FECAFOOT. This resulted in the former being suspended and it is the issue that has dragged on till now.

Another additional change in the text is the reduction of the number of participating delegates from 90 to 60. From now each region will be represented by six delegates and not nine; while Six and not five club presidents will represent League One and Two from now on.

“The General Assembly held in a constructive and positive atmosphere, the delegates were curious and helped in the revision and adoption of the new texts that will in the future open doors to elections at FECAFOOT and generally, the growth of local football, and the upcoming 2021 AFCON”, FECAFOOT interim President Seidou Mbombo Njoya said.

The extraordinary General Assembly saw the presence of the Honorary President of CAF, Issa Hayatou, President of the Cameroon Olympic Committee, Hamad Kalkaba Malboum, two renowned football actors, Owona Pascal and Onana Vincent were all special guests.

Will the adoption bring things to normalcy? That is the million-dollar question that sports lovers in the country are asking. One will think that the adoption of the new texts governing FECAFOOT will calm the nerves of those who are against the present interim bureau at FECAFOOT.

By Lamarana Barrie

Alpha Bedor Conteh from Central Parade Football Club who went to Israel last month with three other players on a month trial at top tier club Hapoel  Tel Aviv is at the verge of signing his first professional contract.

Sigismond Nicol the spokesman  of Central Parade football club  on a phone conversation with this reporter confirmed that the player excelled at his trials and the team has agreed on personal terms with the player.

He further indicated that that the Israeli team Hapoel  Tel Aviv and Central Parade have agreed on the transfer fee but reserved details for later.

More to follow.

By Lamrana Barri

The chairman of Bo Rangers football club Babadi Kamara and the team manager Abdul Karim Bangura  are in Guinea for discussions with the President of the Guinea football Association on how the two Mano River Union nations can forge a strong cordial relationship  on football.

Kamara is also trying to create a technical relationship between Bo Rangers and Houroya A.C, a team that just won a ninth consecutive title in Guinea’s top flight football.

Babadi Kamara paid a visit to Antonio Souare Academy which is located just out side Conakry.  Souare thanked  Kamara for the visit and also promised that his club is always ready to form a strong Relationship with Bo Rangers football club

By Lamrana Barrie

Ahead of the FIFA U-20 female world cup Qualifiers the head coach Victoria Conteh call 40 female homebased players for training which is schedule to start on 19 July 2021.

This is a two legged match According to the press release earlier today by the sierra Leone Football Association, the U-20 team will team will travel to Guinea for the first leg which is stated for September 25,26 and 27.

And sierra Leone will host their counterpart Guinea on October 8,9 and 10 according to the press release from SLFA.
It’s not yet confirmed if sierra Leone will host Guinea here in Freetown as the National stadium is in poor condition.

By Samuel Ouma

The first batch of Team Kenya has arrived in Tokyo’s Narita Airport for the Olympics slated for July 23-August 7.

The team consists of Kenya’s women volleyball players, coach Paul Bitok and deputy chief de mission Shoaib Vayani.

They went through Covid-19 tests before they were released to their hotel, where they will spend the night before flying to Fukuoka.

The team will travel by road to Kurume City from Fukuoka, where the pre-Olympics camp is based.

This week, the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK-K) announced the travel schedule for its team that will compete in the showpiece.  NOCK-K said the team would travel in batches.

The Malkia Strikers will be followed by the men’s rugby team, with the first group departing on July 9 and the second a day later.

The country’s rugby team will depart for the games on July 11-12, followed by sprinters on July 13, and then Taekwondo, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, and Swimming.

Athletes will be the last group to leave for the competition between July 23 and 27 in six phases.

Kenya received a massive boost ahead of the games on Friday after the East African telecommunication giant Safaricom announced a $200,000 sponsorship deal for the team.

The funds will be used for the ceremonial kit used by the Kenyan contingent at the games. Each team member will also be provided with airtime to keep in touch with their families and friends back home.

“As part of our passion for sports, we have always been at the forefront of supporting our athletes every time the Olympics games are held. Whether this is through supporting the Olympic trials, giving incentives to the medal winners or providing support to the National Olympic Committee of Kenya,” said Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa.

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Heritage, and Culture Ambassador (Dr) Amina Mohamed expressed thanked the telco on behalf of the team.

“I thank Safaricom for their continued support and investment in sports and in our athletes. This is in line with our commitment as a Ministry to partner with the private sector to uplift the quality and standards of the sports industry in the country,” she said.

Iconic French football club Olympique de Marseille (OM) , and APO Group , the leading Pan-African communications consultancy and press release distribution service, today announced a multi-year agreement making APO Group the Official Partner of Olympique de Marseille’s OM Africa  development programme. 

The agreement, making APO Group the club’s first African partner, was formalized today at an official signing ceremony at the club’s Robert Louis-Dreyfus training ground by Olympique de Marseille Managing Director, Laurent Colette, and APO Group Founder and Chairman, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard . 

Olympique de Marseille is one of the most renowned football clubs in the world. Founded in 1899, the club has won 30 major trophies, including the UEFA Champions League title in 1993. It is widely regarded as the most popular team in France, with the most passionate fans and the largest attendances in the country.

The links between Olympique de Marseille and Africa have always been very strong, with the city of Marseille itself heavily influenced by diverse African cultures. African football legends to have played for Marseille include Abedi Pelé, Didier Drogba and Mamadou Niang, and the club has proved to be a gateway to the international stage for dozens more African players. 

Support for the club is huge all over North and West Africa, where it is an instantly-recognisable, iconic brand. OM has ten dedicated fan-clubs operating in Africa, and more than four million African followers on social media, making up 38.7% of the club’s global fanbase.

To build on its proud African heritage, Olympique de Marseille has created OM Africa, a football development programme entirely dedicated to its millions of fans from the African continent. The club has established a football academy in Diambars, Senegal, while three OM Africa schools have been set up in Algiers (Algeria), Tunis (Tunisia) and Port-Harcourt (Nigeria). At these state-of-the-art facilities, local youths are taught the beautiful game by some of the best international coaches, and dream of being the next African superstar to play at the highest level.

OM Africa also coordinates regular initiatives designed to raise awareness of the game in Africa, including charity events, exclusive content and prizes for Olympique de Marseille fans, and ‘Legends’ matches.

APO Group sees sport as a valuable opportunity for promoting education, peace, violence prevention, gender equality, and health in Africa.

The company is the Main Official Sponsor of World Rugby’s African association, Rugby Africa, and an official sponsor of Team Qhubeka NextHash, the only professional African cycling team on the UCI World Tour, and the annual Lux Afrique Polo Day.

APO Group is also a strategic African partner of Getty Images, the most recognizable name in sporting imagery, and works closely with the NBA, and the Basketball Africa League.

Together, APO Group and Olympique de Marseille are committed to helping promote football in Africa, providing new opportunities for young players, and showcasing positive African stories on the international stage. 

“We have always seen ourselves as being a bridge to Africa,” said Laurent Colette, Managing Director of Olympique de Marseille. “The passion and vibrancy of African football is evident throughout our city and our team. APO Group share our vision for OM Africa to be a beacon for all African football fans, and a way of supporting sporting development across the continent.”  

“Olympique de Marseille is one of the most successful and enduring sporting organizations in the world,” said APO Group Founder and Chairman, Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard. “No other major European football club dedicates as much time, energy and resource to Africa. The OM Africa programme is a fantastic initiative, and it shows the unique power of sport in uniting people from different countries and cultures. We are thrilled at the prospect of being able to support Olympique de Marseille and their millions of African fans.” 

*APO/Olympique de Marseille

By Samuel Ouma

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday flagged off the 2021 World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally at the Kenyatta International Convention Center in Nairobi.

The ceremony was also graced by Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) president Jean Todt and WRC Safari Rally CEO Phineas Kimathi alongside Kenya’s Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed.

“In 2013 I made a pledge to my fellow citizens that we would bring the safari rally back home and I also promised that I would return Safari Rally to its position as one of the International Automobile Federation’s and the World Rally Championships’ toughest rally,” said President Kenyatta.

The first car flagged off was driven by Onkar Rai and his co-driver Drew Sturrock and the second car by Carl ‘Flash’ Tundo and his co-driver Tim Jessop.

After the flagged off, the cars headed to the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani on the city’s outskirts for a side-by-side race for a purpose-built spectator grandstand.

After that, the team proceed to Naivasha town, northwest of Nairobi, where the race will be held from Friday to Sunday.

This year’s event has attracted 58 drivers, with 24 being foreigners.

2002 was the last time Kenya participated in the WRC.

The Safari Rally was restored to the WRC calendar following a thorough campaign spearheaded by President Kenyatta.

A formal investigation against Mr Omari was opened on 7 January 2021.

The chairperson of the adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has ratified the plea bargain concluded between Constant Omari Selemani, former President of the Congo DR Football Association, former First Vice-President of CAF and former FIFA (www.FIFA.com) Council member, and the chairperson of the Ethics Committee’s investigatory chamber.

A formal investigation against Mr Omari was opened on 7 January 2021 and concerned certain benefits accepted and received from Lagardère Sports (for a total amount of EUR 66,444), in relation to the negotiations that he conducted for an agreement between CAF and Lagardère Sports in connection with the commercialisation of certain TV rights licensed to the LC2 company and to the collection of the latter’s outstanding debt. The negotiations, which were led by Mr Omari on behalf of CAF, resulted in contractual provisions that were particularly detrimental to CAF, causing significant financial damage to the confederation. In this respect, the receipt of benefits created a conflict of interests that detracted from Mr Omari’s ability to perform his duties to CAF with integrity and in an independent and purposeful manner.

In accordance with art. 67 par.1 of the FIFA Code of Ethics, the parties have mutually agreed on the following sanction:

• A 12-month ban from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level
• A fine of EUR 66,444

The sanction is effective from the validation of the agreement by the chairman of the adjudicatory chamber, which occurred on 18 June 2021.

*FIFA

After their first victory, the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon won, this June 12, 2021, at the Stadium Aout 4 in Ouagadougou, the return test match against the Ladies Stallions of Burkina Faso by the score of 35 to 3. This return test match was highly anticipated by the two teams who each had high hopes to excel.

Like the first test match, the Women’s Stallions did not get any tries. The only penalty that gave them the 3 points came in the 44th minute. Although they demonstrated a stronger resistance than during the first test match, Burkina Faso finally lost to Cameroon by the final score of 35 to 3. This score is roughly equal to that of the first test match where Cameroon had won by 37 to 0. There was no lack of faults in this match. Each of the two teams received yellow cards. These were handed to Cameroonian No.11 Mimosette Mouto, and Burkina Faso’s No.3 Bonkoungou Janine and No.18 Adjaratou Yanogo.

Burkina Faso’s captain, Yvette Sawadogo, admitted that with her teammates, they played differently in this second match. The difference, she said, was in controlling their fear of the physically imposing Cameroonian team. It should be noted that there was also a greater mobilization of Burkinabè supporters in the stands, and this was undoubtedly in favour of Burkina Faso. Fans wearing black uniforms helped to overheat the stadium with their galvanizing cries. Cameroonian coach Jacques NGomsu Tchon Lahui said his team faced difficulties because “they were different opponents from the first encounter”. For Cameroon vice-captain Priso Rosine Maxime Ndingo, her team did not fully follow the coach’s instructions.

Later today at 4 pm GMT, the highly anticipated match will pit the men’s teams of Burkina Faso and Cameroon. Immediately after the end of the women’s test match, the Cameroonian men’s team put on their training boots for a practice game. The final result will show which of the two countries will snatch its ticket for the Rugby Africa Cup next July in Tunisia.

*APO Group on behalf of Rugby Africa

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

Indomitable Lions and Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana has seen his one-year doping ban reduced to nine months. This decision was rendered this Thursday, June 10 by the Court of Arbitration for Sports, CAS.

Onana, 25, was suspended in February 2021, having failed an out-of-competition test for a banned substance the previous October.

“I mistakenly took it for aspirin because the packaging was almost identical, which I greatly regret, Andre Onana said back in February.

“I respect the UEFA Appeals Body, but I do not share their decision in this case. I consider it excessive and disproportionate as it has been acknowledged by UEFA that it was an unintentional mistake.”

The ban for Andre Onana means he has been unable to play or train with Ajax or the Cameroon national team since the suspension was imposed but will now be eligible for the competition from November.

After a four-hour online session, CAS ruled that Onana’s 12-month ban should be reduced to nine months. The suspension shall now end 4 November 2021 and up to that time, it covers all football activities, both national as international.

Onana is allowed to restart his training two months before the end of the suspension which will be on September 4, 2021.

This decision to reduce the sentence by three months have been appreciated by the Cameroonian sporting community who are hoping to Onana in the colour of the national team for the upcoming AFCON. This window will give the goalkeeper somewhat enough time to prepare with his national team if he is called up for the World Cup qualifiers and also the AFCON.

Edwin van der Sar, the CEO of Ajax, told the club’s website: “With this ruling of the CAS we have won three months in comparison to the initial suspension. So it was worth it taking this case to the CAS. We stand for a clean sport. I will say again that we are convinced that Andre has taken this substance by accident and certainly not to perform better.

“This is endorsed by all parties, also by the UEFA as is to be concluded from the cases both by the UEFA and the CAS.

“When we told our story, together with Andre and the lawyers from the CAS, I drove off from The Ajax Academy with a good feeling. I have mixed feelings about today’s verdict because our aim was that he would be back playing games this summer.”

Andre Onana now has a big decision to make in the next couple of days or weeks with the transfer window in Europe open. He has been linked with several clubs that are looking at getting his services. Premier League giant Arsenal is reported to be keeping a close eye on Andre Onana and it was reported they were waiting for the CAS decision before tabling a bid for the goalkeeper.

On the sidelines of the Rugby Africa Cup repechage held in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon triumphed, on the morning of 9^th, 2021 at the August 4 stadium, against the Stallions of Burkina Faso by the score of 37 to 0.

Scheduled for 08:00AM GMT, the women’s test match between Burkina Faso and Cameroon kicked off at 09:00AM GMT due to the rain that soaked the pitch. In the first half, the Cameroonian team showed endurance and mastery of the oval ball. After No. 08 Prisco Rosine N’Dingo opened the scoring in the second minute, the Lionesses scoredthree unconverted tries bringing the score to 15 in their favor. In the 26th minute, Prisco Rosine N’Dingo received a yellow card for a high tackle.

After the 10-minute half-time of this 60-minute competition, Cameroon scoredfour tries including a singleconversion. Tis added 22 points in the second halfand brought the total to 37. Burkina Faso could not scoreany points in this test match.

Velhyr Dabiré, coach of the Burkina Faso women’s team, admitted that the opposing team were technically up to the task and have international experience. Her colt and team captain, Yvette Sawadogo, remains confident in all sportiness for a victory in the second leg. Cameroonian coach Jacques NGomsu Tchon Lahui said the score could have been higher if the Burkina Faso team were not so strong. For captain Gertrude Prombove, the opponent gavethem a hard time.

This is the first match since Cameroon returned to African and international rugby bodies after almost a decade of absence. This women’s competition is part of Rugby Africa’s plan to develop 15-way competitions in the period 2021-2025.

*SOURCE Rugby Africa

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

Buea United had to come from behind to pull a draw against the Catholic University Sports Academy as matchday nine of the South West Regional League took place across the Region.

The Catholic University SA headed into this encounter after pulling a draw against Continental FA in their last encounter while it was a draw for Buea United against the University of Buea in their encounter.

It was Buea United who began the game on the front foot with several chances created. Oscar Ngembo created the first chance but could not trouble goalkeeper Ofon. Boston Mofa will follow up for Buea United with a freekick but it went above the crossbar.

Mbua Ngembo opened the scoring for Buea United at the 9mins of play after the team had mounted pressure on the CUSA backline.

CUSA found it difficult to penetrate the defence of Buea United and when they did they could not make something out of the chances. That will, however, change at the 23mins with CUSA succeeding in getting an equalizer. Captain Baka Valery stepped up and converted a beautiful freekick a few meters from the box.

Ikose Njuma will come close a few minutes later for CUSA but could not convert. He rounded up the goalkeeper but his effort hit the crossbar as CUSA started mounting pressure against their opponents. 

Elias Lenya will put CUSA ahead at the 30mins after a combination play saw him slot the ball into the net. The goal seemed to reinvigorate the CUSA side that attacked Buea United on every front and defended as a unit as the game headed into the break 2-1 in favour of CUSA.

Agbor Oben of Buea United was the shining glory of his team with beautiful plays and combinations. His touch was one of splendour as he masterminded the play from Buea United at the midfield.

Buea United will enter the game in the second half knowing they needed to avoid a defeat in this encounter. And that was the case with their plays a few minutes into the second segment with Boston Mofa testing the goalkeeper. Oscar Njume will then come close a few minutes later but his shot went wide.

Buea United will finally equalize at the 80mins with that goal very vital for the team. Agbor Oben who was the marksman for Buea United in the game scored a beautifully taken strike, to the jubilation of all those associated with the team.

The draw for Buea United keeps their hopes alive of topping the group on the final matchday while the chances of CUSA qualifying for the mini interpool have ended. Buea United currently counts 8 points in Pool B and are second, behind leaders Continental FA with 11 points. CUSA is third with four points. The University of Buea is fourth with 2 points while Dynamic was earlier on declared general forfeiture.

The last game will be very crucial as Continental FA will face Buea United, while the Catholic University SA battles the University of Buea FC. The date for the fixtures has yet to be communicated.

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

The knockout stage of the Fako Divisional League has been released. The fixtures are scheduled to be played on June 13, at the Limbe Centenary Stadium. The release comes after the conclusion of the group stages a couple of days back.

Six teams will be taking part at the knockout stages comprising winners and second-place teams in Pools A, B and C. EEMSA 22 of Tiko and Option 17 from Pool A will be joined by Vishi Sports Academy and Southwest United from Pool B and Istanbul FA and Al Jazeera SA from Pool C.

Al Jazeera who finished as the only team not to lose a game at the group stages will look to outsmart Option 17. Istanbul dropped just two points in the championship with the rest of the games finishing in a victory. The team defeated Al Jazeera, Fako United, Botafogo AFC on both legs but were held to a draw by Babungo in the second leg after the team won the first leg.

For Al Jazeera, the team will be hoping their fine form to round off the group stages continue when the battle Vishi Sports Academy. Al Jazeera finished second in group B and will face a side in Vishi SA that finished top of Group B. The team had a scare but bounce back to comfortably win their group.

For the complete Fixtures Sunday, June 13

Istanbul FA v Option 17 at the Centenary Stadium (11:00 am)

Vishi SA v Al Jazeera SA at the Centenary Stadium (1:00 pm)

EEMSA 22 v Southwest United at the Centenary Stadium (3 pm)

It should be noted that the victorious teams will qualify for the semi-finals while the best loser will be selected to join the winning teams. These teams will then participate in the semi-finals with the winners advancing to the finals. The victorious team will qualify for the South West Regional League for the next football season.

–Local football fans could soon have the opportunity to coach their favourite club as Black Label Cup heads to Zambia.

LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – Zambian Breweries is impressed with the popularity of the recently launched Carling Black Label Cup in South Africa and has announced plans to replicate the competition in Zambia.
The tournament which kicked off in Johannesburg on May 26, 2021, allows fans to employ their own tactics and select matchday teams from their favourite local clubs.

The pre-season Carling Black Label Cup competition was first introduced in 2011 in partnership with Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Stadium Management to give fans unprecedented power and influence over the fiercely contested Soweto Derby.

Last year’s edition was called off due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Carling Black Label Brand Director, Arné Rust said that this year’s edition of the tournament would give fans unprecedented access and control over the game, allowing them to make game-changing decisions.

“What will really set this year’s Cup apart from previous years is that fans will have access to all the game-changers, giving them even more power and control of the game,” he said.
“As with each Carling Black Label Cup, we will be putting the power in the very capable hands of Champion fans. Supporters of Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will select their starting line-up along with new and exciting game-changers which will certainly amplify their match day experience.”

A football fixture that is largely dependent on fans’ ability to manage their favourite club has given the beautiful game a fresh dynamic in terms of fan engagement.

And speaking during the launch, Zambian Breweries Marketing Manager Sibajene Munkombwe said the brewery was honoured to have been part of the 2021 kick-off, adding that he was confident the pre-season tournament would be a fan favourite upon its introduction in Zambia.

He said: “We are excited to be part of the Carling Black Label Cup in South Africa which is uniting people from different walks of life – a strong passion point for us. As such we thought we could replicate the competition in Zambia in the coming year or so.”

“Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are some of the biggest teams in African football and I am proud to note that we have had several Zambian players like Collins Mbesuma, Muwowo and Kambole play for the two clubs.”

“The Carling Cup Soweto Derby fixture will see two titans collide with Zambian professional footballers likely to be in the thick of things if Kaizer Chiefs forward Lazarous Kambole and Orlando Pirates winger Austin Muwowo make the fans’ starting 11 on the July 31 this year at the FNB Stadium.”

Given the prevailing restrictions around gatherings, there will be no fans to witness the showpiece live in the stadium for the first time in the competition’s history.

As with previous years, two lucky fans, representing Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will have an opportunity to become the Champion Coach.

The winning fans will coach their respective teams during training, attend the pre-match briefing and lead their team from the dugout on match day.

The Carling Black Label Cup boasts eight sold out clashes between the Soweto Giants over the last decade.
Orlando Pirates has clinched the Cup five times – 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2019; while Kaizer Chiefs were victorious in 2013, 2016 and 2017.

Rwanda President Paul Kagame has used the platform of the CAF Executive Committee meeting in Kigali to express his praise for the new mindset that is supporting African football to achieve its aims.

“I’m very pleased, on behalf of my whole country, to have you here,” President Kagame said to the assembled CAF Executive Committee and the FIFA delegation in the Rwandan capital. “It’s a badge of honour for us. The two brothers I am sitting with here (FIFA President Gianni Infantino and CAF President Patrice Motsepe), I have known for a long time, and our minds are more or less synchronised on what to do for sport, for football. I have enjoyed working with them, and we are a family.

“I do politics for a living, and I also make sure I get involved in good politics,” the Rwandan President added. “If you look at sport, teams and clubs, it’s very similar to politics. It’s about leadership. You have to have a vision. Then, when it comes down to details, we have to work as a team. In the same exercise of our duties, we also need humility in what we do, so we can maximize the benefits of our work.

“We have to be competitive in what we do, and we have to work together,” he added. “And also think of others beyond our teams. Like fans. We need an ambition, and a drive. No-one is excluded. You can’t be happy alone, unless the members of your team are happy. I find that convergence every day in my work. It’s the same in football. All of you here today – this is what you represent.”

The FIFA President echoed President Kagame’s words, stressing that the progress made by Rwanda is a benchmark for football in Africa to follow. 

“Football is more than just a sport, it is a school for life,” the FIFA President said. “Football teaches us to be part of a team. It teaches us that alone, we cannot achieve anything. Football is teaching us respect, for the rules, for our opponents, and for the referee, who has to apply the rules. Football teaches us to win and to lose. It is teaching us resilience, and to stand up to new challenges.

“This country (Rwanda) shows us that everything is possible, and this is what you, President Kagame, have been doing here,” he added. “We just need to want it and then we need to do it, and we all want to do this for Africa, and for African football. We want to re-write the glorious pages of African football, not only for Africa, but for the world. We want African football to shine all over the world.

For his part, the CAF President recognised the important role that the Rwandan President has been making in supporting African football on a political level. 

“In you, President Kagame, we don’t only have an ambassador, but a partner,” Patrice Motsepe said. “A partner who talks on our behalf with all other heads of state in Africa. To say to them, we have to work together to support the most popular sport of football on the continent.”

The meeting also included a presentation from FIFA Chief of Global Football Development, Arsene Wenger, who stated: “I personally believe that Africa will be the continent of the 21st century, and that football has to anticipate that movement, because it is a great opportunity.”

FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development was referring to the recently published report, Increasing Global Competitiveness, which highlights the need for every talented player to deserve a chance to be identified and developed, because analysis has shown that many talents are going undiscovered due to a number of factors, including the lack of planning, quality of education, infrastructure and financial resources to train youngsters.

*FIFA

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

Cameroon’s first UFC Heavyweight Champions, Francis Ngannou has showcased his title won a couple of months back to the population of Buea. This visit on May 8 follows a similar undertaking in Douala and Yaounde.

The “Predator” first made a stop at the SW Governor’s office before moving along the streets of Buea with the final stop at the University of Buea. Despite the downpour, the enthusiasm from all those involved could not be hidden.

It’s a surreal moment for many Cameroonians and especially those who have been following Ngannou for the last five years, from his highs and lows in the UFC octagon to see him as UFC champion.

His troubled upbringing has been documented and when he speaks his voice beats out words of encouragement to his fellow brothers and sisters that they too can achieve something great when they put their minds to it.

Francis Ngannou came to visit the institution that he spent his University school days and share with the population his success story.

Francis Ngannou captured the UFC heavyweight title after beaten Stipe Miocic, his second fight with the former champion in a clinical manner. His second-round knockout of Miocic saw him claimed the converted belt that he had been longing for ever since he started his MMA career.

“This belt signifies hard work and for everyone, it is a sign that if you believe in yourself you can achieve whatever you want,” Francis Ngannou told UB students.

A second MMA gym is expected to be extended to Buea by the Francis Ngannou Foundation, says the UFC Heavyweight Champion whose foundation is named after him. In January 2019, Francis Ngannou opened the first mixed martial gym in his native country of Cameroon.

“The Foundation is to give kids opportunities, for them to understand that someone cares about them. We just one to empower them so that they can pick up their dreams and follow them,” Francis Ngannou said on the envisage opening of a second MMA studio in Buea.

The Francis Ngannou Foundation currently runs the first MMA gym in Cameroon in his hometown of Batie in the West Region. The first MMA gym was opened in January 2019 and has since gone on to aid more than one hundred children. The Foundation empowers these children through access to professional training, gyms and facilities.

Growing up, Ngannou always hoped that someone would come back to his village of Batié and provide him with the resources to work toward his dreams of becoming a mixed martial artist. That person never came, and now that Ngannou has reached the point in his life where he can help his people, he’s doing just that.

“The goal is to have them believe in themselves and to chase their dream. It doesn’t matter what it is,” Ngannou said as quoted by the UFC.

“I’m seeing myself when I was there [in Cameroon], how powerful my dream was and I’m like, ‘Okay if there are only like three or four kids in all this village who have the same dream and it’s as powerful as mine was, it’s worth it.”

It has been a unique pleasure for Francis to give back to his community mindful of the troubles he had to go through just to make it. Upon leaving Cameroon the UFC champion had to sleep on the streets of France for some time before he found MMA. And given back to the community is something innate.

“There is something that is special inside when I go there. If you notice, as soon as I have time I just go back to Cameroon,” Ngannou said. “And when I go there I’m around all these kids and all these people and I’m seeing myself in them. I’m not Francis Ngannou, I’m not a UFC fighter, and I’m not ‘The Predator.’ I am just the Francis Ngannou that was born and raised there and I’m seeing myself in them.”

He added: “It’s kind of a thing where I grew up expecting somebody to come back and do that for us,” Ngannou said. “I want these kids to know that people care about them and that they count. That’s the main goal.”

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

UFC heavyweight Champion, Francis “Predator” Ngannnou says he will love to fight former lightweight Champion Jon “Bones” Jones if it was left for him to decide. Since capturing the belt against Stipe Miocic, Ngannou and Jones had traded jabs on social media with both parties promising a knockout of the other.

Responding to a question from a student after he took the UFC Heavyweight title to the University of Buea on May 8, the first Cameroonian heavyweight champion said: “I am going for legacy and that can only be against Jones. If I have to choose a fight it will be against him because he has the legacy at the moment.”

Jones has not fought since his February 2020 decision win over Dominick Reyes at UFC 247. Jones will go on to vacate the Light heavyweight belt and announced a move to the heavyweight division.

“Pray you to knock me out because if you do not I am going to break you, and that is a promise,” Jon Jones tweeted as he hit out at Francis Ngannou. The Champ was quick to respond as he tweeted: “Please do not make me laugh! When was the last time you break somebody out?”

With Jones pricing himself out of the title fight, Ngannou looks to face off against Number One contender Derrick “Black beast” Lewis later this year for a rematch. In the first fight between both parties, it was Lewis who got a victory against Ngannou with many brandishing the fight as “one of the most boring fights ever seen.”

The “boy from Batie” in the West Region of Cameroon has certainly come of age ever since that fight against Lewis some two years ago. The Cameroonian has gone on to absolute dominance in the heavyweight category clinically dispatching the challengers. He is yet to see the third round of his last four bouts all ending in KOs.

The UFC appears to be lining towards a rematch with Derrick Lewis with a proposed June 12 date. This date according to reports does not work for Ngannou but Lewis has expressed interest in the rematch and is available to fight once the UFC can lock down a date.

Despite the loss to Lewis, Ngannou is considered as the favourite to win the rematch when it is scheduled. Francis is coming off from a victory against Stipe Miocic at UFC 260. For Lewis, he has since gone on to make amends in his previous fights knocking out Curtis Blaydes at UFC Vegas 19 to notch his 12^th victory by KO.

“It’s probably going to be the Black Beast. At the end of the day, Derrick Lewis and Ngannou is the fight (to make). That is the fight to make right now,” UFC President Dana White said about the next contender for Francis.

“He (Derrick Lewis) is a heavyweight; he has been fighting at heavyweight and he has earned his shot. He has a win over Ngannou and that is the fight to make. With the first fight, it did not do what everybody expected it to do but it cannot go bad twice, can it?”

The question from the UFC President signifies a change in mentality between the two fighters. Ngannou has progressed and upgraded himself to a level that is unmatched by anyone in the heavyweight division. He has simply become a “cold-blooded killer” as the US media calls him. And it is not surprising looking at the way opponents have fallen at his feet when they feel his punch. Junior Dos Santos,

Derrick Lewis has also progressed and he has promised to produce a better performance than his last meeting with Ngannou. Lewis is known as a wrestler and it is uncertain if he will like to go toe-to-toe with the hardest-hit fighter in the UFC now.

The world will certainly be waiting to see Francis Ngannou defend his belt for the first time. Whoever that will be is still up in the air. But should it be against Derrick Lewis or Jon Jones, it is going to be an interesting matchup for the fans.

The final leg of the joint CAF and FIFA mission to West Africa featured a visit Sierra Leone, where meetings with the Head of State Brigadier General Dr Julius Maada Bio, Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) President Isha Johansen and national sports officials focused on the unifying power of football and its ability to bring people together despite their differences.

”Football is life for many people in Sierra Leone and of course in Africa as a whole,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “We at FIFA want to be part of the process of helping develop football in Sierra Leone and we want to make sure that this country shines with opportunities through the game because after all, football represents talent, life and joy, much of which we have already seen since arriving here.”

Following the meeting at State House, the FIFA President also expressed his appreciation to President Bio for his contribution to the development of football in Sierra Leone and the unique role that football plays in the social fabric of a country by uniting all people, while also stressing the urgency of organising the SLFA’s elective congress.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe echoed these messages and congratulated President Bio on his thought leadership and vision, before promising to support Sierra Leone in hosting the Africa Cup of Nations as soon as it could.

Before departing for Lungi airport, the joint CAF-FIFA delegation met briefly with football fans and local authorities, exchanging on the outcome of their meeting with President Bio.

*FIFA

By Samuel Ouma

Two-time World 5,000m champion Hellen Obiri is set to represent Kenya in the Doha 2021 Diamond League slated for May 28, 2021.

She will be seeking her fourth title in the 3,000m race in Doha but will face stiff competition from the 5,000m World record holder Letesenbet Gidey from Ethiopia.

Obiri has made four appearances in Doha, winning three times and losing once. Her first title came in 2014 during her debut when he set a record time of 8:20:68.

In 2018, she finished fourth; however, she recorded a back-to-back victory in 2019 and 2019 in 8:25:60 and 8:22:54, respectively.

Out of 14 meetings between Obiri and Gidey, the former has won nine times and the latter five times.

In their last meeting during Monaco Diamond League, Obiri finished ahead of her Ethiopian counterpart, who finished second.

Gidey has defeated Obiri two times in Doha, which is in 2018, and in the 2019 World Championships in the 10,000m winning silver and the Kenyan finished fifth.

Obiri is fresh from participating in the Istanbul Half Marathon held last month. She finished third in 1:04:51.

“It feels great to be heading back to Doha for the fifth time and at a place where I retained my world title in 2019… I hope to be successful once more as I prepare for Tokyo Olympic Games,” she noted.

By Boris Esono Nwenfor

A stadium that is to serve as the venue for the opening and closing match has yet to be completed, with works having been suspended for a couple of months now. This Stadium was to serve as the venue for the 2019 AFCON that the country was supposed to organize. 

Visiting the still to be completed stadium recently, Prof Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, Cameroon’s Minister of Sports and Physical Education announced that the government has allocated an envelope of more than FCFA 6 billion from its funds for works to continue on the site uninterrupted. This money is one that was owed to the construction company.

The Cameroon government had been slow in reimbursing the funds to Magil, who had used its own money to continue work. However, the company could not continue paying its subcontractors and work had to be halted.

Magil took over from Piccini, who had been charged with the construction of the 60 thousand capacity stadium. Piccini was slow in its delivering with workers even going on strike due to non-payment led the government to cancel the contract and looked for an alternative company to complete the work. 

For the completion of the work, some FCFA 55 billion is needed which the government has yet to secure funds for. The President has ordered the Minister of the Economy to negotiate for a loan of FCFA 55 billion. This amount was to be made available by the Italian bank Intesa San Paolo to the former contractor (Piccini) but after the company was released the bank also pulled out.

Magil is hoping to give the fully constructed stadium to the Cameroon government in November this year, two months to the start of the AFCON. Cameroon is hosting the continental showpiece this year after CAF had deemed the country unfit after multiple problems ranging from insecurity and the non-completion of stadia.

It is yet to be seen if the country will succeed in that mammoth task of finishing the stadium on the assigned date. Should they succeed, it will be left for the CAF inspection team to indicate whether the stadium is fit or not. Many observers are, however, displeased with the way things have been organized and the slow nature of work.  

Official Game Ball is Part of Wilson’s Latest Construction Technology and Features Unique Graphics Specifically-Designed for the BAL; Inaugural BAL Season Will Take Place May 16-30 in Kigali, Rwanda.

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) (www.theBAL.com) and Wilson Sporting Goods Co. (Wilson) (www.Wilson.com) today unveiled the Official Game Ball (https://bit.ly/3evca0h) that will be used for the BAL’s historic inaugural season, which will tip off Sunday, May 16 at the Kigali Arena in Kigali, Rwanda. Twelve teams from across Africa will compete in the new professional league. The first BAL Finals will be held Sunday, May 30.

The official BAL game ball was specially designed for the BAL and features the league’s primary logo and social media handle (@theBAL).  The secondary league logo, a continent icon featuring “Inspire, Empower, Elevate,” are also displayed on the ball.  Made of 100 percent composite leather, the official game ball integrates the Evo NXT construction, Wilson’s latest technology featuring an enhanced grip and a soft, moisture-minimalizing feel.

“We are excited to partner with a global leader like Wilson and unveil the Official Game Ball of the Basketball Africa League ahead of our inaugural season,” said BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall.  “Wilson’s rich history in basketball combined with its current product innovations will help us build the BAL into one of the top professional basketball leagues in the world.”

“Our passion and commitment to the players and the sport of basketball runs deep,” said Wilson General Manager of Team Sports Kevin Murphy.  “We are excited to be a part of the BAL’s inaugural season and look forward to a great partnership aimed at growing the game and providing athletes and coaches with innovative solutions to elevate their performance.”

Champions from the national leagues in Angola, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia earned their participation in the inaugural season.  The remaining six teams, which come from Algeria, Cameroon, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique and Rwanda, secured their participation through BAL qualifying tournaments conducted by FIBA Regional Office Africa across the continent in late 2019.

The BAL groups and additional details about the league will be announced in the coming weeks.

Download High-Resolution Official BAL Game Ball Photos (https://bit.ly/3sNy2ZE) (Credit: Wilson Sporting Goods)

About Wilson Sporting Goods Co.:
Chicago, USA-based Wilson Sporting Goods Co., a subsidiary of Amer Sports Corporation, is the world’s leading manufacturer of high-performance sports equipment, apparel and accessories. Wilson’s footprint in basketball spans all levels of play globally, from the Wilson Evolution, the number one iconic Game Basketball in the U.S., to key partnerships including the official Game Basketball of the National Collegiate Athletic Association® (NCAA), the global Game Basketball of FIBA 3×3, the official Game Basketball of the National Basketball League (NBL) of Australia and the official Game Basketball of the Basketball Champions League (BCL) in Europe. The Company brings more than a century of innovation in basketball to every level of play. It uses player insights to develop products that push equipment innovation into new territories and empower athletes at every level to perform at their best.

About the BAL:
The BAL, a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the NBA, is a new professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa.  The BAL builds on the foundation of club competitions FIBA has organized in Africa and marks the NBA’s first collaboration to operate a league outside North America.

*SOURCE National Basketball Association (NBA)