This week's FIBA Africa Zone 7 updates takes us to Comoros, Madagascar and Mauritius. Ouani-based outfit Ushindzi said no to the Road to BAL 2025, while Madagascar is gearing up for the 2024 Inter-Call Contest, a basketball tournament for call-center operatives. In Mauritius, the managing committee has designated Stéphanie Soubanse-Hon Pin as its new chairperson.
Last Updated on
October 15, 2024
Ushindzi will not be making it to the BAL this time. The last team to represent Comoros in the now annual Road to BAL, the Ouani-based outfit, crowned Comoros champions 2023-24, will not be travelling to Tanzania, where they were due to play in the East Division against hosts JKT Basketball, Urunani BBC (Burundi), Beau Vallon Heat(Seychelles), Nairobi City Thunders (Kenya), GNBC (Madagascar) and Hawassa City (Ethiopia).
In a statement posted on their Facebook page, the club's management cited financial constraints, while thanking their fans for their continued support. For the record, Ushindzi represented the Comoros in 2023, in Madagascar, and finished with two straight losses, to Seychelles' Beau Vallon Heat (60-82) and Madagascar's COSPN (52-87).
Moov'up Events has launched the second edition of the "Inter-Call Contest" basketball tournament, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MJS), the Malagasy Basketball Federation (MBBF), and several sponsors.
The event will run from October 12-27, at the Mahamasina Covered Gymnasium and will see 17 call center teams compete. The men's champions will win two million ariary, while the women's team will receive one million ariary. Additional prizes from sponsors will also be awarded. Besides the games, the tournament will feature a three-point shooting competition and cheerleading performances.
A week ago, the Mauritius Basketball Federation appointed Stéphanie Soubanse-Hon Pin as its new chairperson. Soubanse-Hon Pin, who hails from the Curepipe regional committee, was appointed by her peers at the first meeting of the 11 elected members of the elective General Assembly on 5 October.
A former player discovered by the late national technical director, Faïda Antoine de Padoue, is still active in the club and currently holds the position of team manager of a team competing in the D1. In her first interview with the Mauritian media, she admitted that she will need everyone's support, while announcing that her priority will be training and development.
[Photo/Imagery Credit FIBA, Malagasy Basketball Federation and Mauritius Basketball Federation]
