By Bariyo Brian Tumuramye
BAL president Amadou Gallo Fall announced details of the second season on Thursday in Egypt. FIBA Africa BAL president Ambrose Tashobya and Egypt’s Zamalek, the inaugural BAL champions, were in attendance.
Fall said of the second edition: “After a successful and historic launch last spring, we are thrilled to be able to grow the BAL’s footprint in our second season.
“Through this expanded competition format, we will bring more games to more countries across the continent, allowing new and returning fans to experience the excitement of this world-class league up close and in person.”
BAL Board President Anibal Manave added: “This season will no doubt be even more exciting with the expansion of the number of games and also additional host cities – in particular here in Cairo where the FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2022 will also take place in February, featuring for the first time the inaugural Basketball Africa League Zamalek SC.”
Zamalek defeated Tunisia’s US Monastir 76-63 to win the inaugural BAL championship on May 30 in Kigali. The BAL championship game was broadcast to fans in 215 countries and territories in 15 languages. (https://yurtsofamerica.com/)
The 12 BAL teams next season will be league champions from 12 African countries qualifying from tournaments conducted by FIBA Regional Office Africa across the continent from October to December 2021.
