Sports

Basketball league set to boost women basketball in Africa— President

Published

6 months ago

May 25, 2024

The President of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), Amadou Gallo Fall, has disclosed that the organisation is working with world basketball governing body, FIBA, to boost and nurture female talents and grow the women sport on the continent.

According to Fall, BAL which started as a men’s tournament four years ago, has launched an initiative which will incorporate the females so as to grow the game.

Fall who spoke to sports journalists in Kigali, Rwanda, where the competition is currently going on, said the key challenge for the body is to expand the female talent pool across the continent and
hopes to lay a strong foundation across the continent through its BAL4HER project, which aims to advance gender equity and celebrate women in the sports industry.

He stated that BAL will run a five-day camp for 20 top Under-23 women’s players from 14 African countries alongside the play-offs in Rwanda with the aim to empower and develop young female athletes on and off the court.

“There is a women’s club championship that FIBA is running and we built the BAL on the foundation of club basketball that FIBA used to run,” he said.

“We contribute towards investment in growing the women’s game. The foundation is laid. We need to continue to support women’s participation in the sport and the development at grassroots level working with FIBA.

“I know the women’s game is very popular in certain countries – Senegal, Mozambique, Egypt, Mali and Nigeria.

“We want to grow the women’s game to make sure there are more countries playing the sport.”

The BAL President added that this far, work is already being done by his organisation to boost the women’s game.

“This is a way to continue to build capacity, make the industry accessible for women and especially help them grow on their journey to becoming the best basketball players they can be.

“They will be mentored by elite coaches and this will be an opportunity to talk to them about opportunities and careers in sport.

“They have a chance to learn more about the industry and the work the BAL is doing, and we want to continue to provide those mentorships. That will all contribute in building this world-class league we are endeavouring to build.”

Related Topics:Africa BAL Basketball Featured

Click to comment

Sports

Ghanaian winger Fatawu out for season with ACL injury

Published

5 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu, has been ruled out of the rest of the EPL season after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury during Ghana’s 1-1 draw with Angola in a 2025 AFCON match during the international break.

Leicester coach, Steve Cooper, who announced the news on Thursday, said the 20-year-old enterprising player suffered a “serious” knee injury which will see him out for the rest of the season.

“It’s not good, it’s a serious injury,” Cooper said ahead of his side’s home tie against Chelsea on Saturday.

“He’s had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury that is going to rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him, being a young player and having an injury as serious as what an ACL is.

“Albeit, it can be quite common in sport and in particular football, but it’s still a serious injury. For it to happen at a young age is a blow for him and a blow for us as well.

“He’s obviously a big talent and a young player, as exciting as he can be at his age, with lots to learn.

“It’s only a pause and we will make sure, as difficult as it is at the moment for him, that he comes back being a stronger player and person, which with the mentality and character that he has, I think will be the case,” the gaffer said.

Fatawu has been a key player for the Foxes, helping them gain promotion last season and has played 11 times for them in the league during the present campaign, scoring two goals.

Sports

SA football legend Lucas ‘Masterpieces’ Moripe passes away

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

South African football legend, Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe, has passed away at the age of 71 after a long battle with illness.

According to South African media, Moripe lit up the country’s football fields in the 1970s and became a rallying point for football in the country, especially in the apartheid era.

“Moripe, who mesmerised opponents and spectators alike during an injury ravaged career, spent his last years confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke, and died at his home on Tuesday at the age of 71,” one media report said.

“Moripe, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest players the country has produced by those who saw him play, was called “the god of football”’ by adoring fans during the early 1970s in a nod to his natural talents.

“He was feared by defenders and goalkeepers and his style of play was synonymous with flair, finesse and the golden era of South African football.

“In recent years Moripe was confined to a wheelchair after suffering a mild stroke that was worsened by the effects of a long-term knee injury that stopped his playing career in the late 1980s.

“Throughout his career, Moripe played for the Orlando Pirates and the Pretoria Callies, winning the respect of both teammates and supporters.

“In 2010, the Atteridgeville Super Stadium was renamed the Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium in honor of his noteworthy achievements to South African football. Major football games are still held at this stadium, which now stands as a tribute to his legacy.

“Moripe’s career highlights include leading Pretoria Callies to victory against top clubs and earning the 1973 NPSL Player of the Year and Sportsman of the Year titles.

“He also played internationally for Caroline Hill in Hong Kong and briefly for Orlando Pirates. Persistent knee injuries ended his playing career in the late 1980s.”