Your weekly dose of FIBA Africa Zone 7 Updates take you on a major tour in Madagascar, where three players from the Malagasy national team have been changing clubs. And then, we’ll hop to Mauritius, where a new managing committee will be set up soon.
Last Updated on
July 25, 2024
The Malagasy basketball scene is currently buzzing with transfers with Malagasy talent Mathias M'Madi announcing his next destination on his Facebook page. He has signed for Club Baloncesto Morón, in Spain's Division 2.
Rija Lahontan, Malagasy national team point guard, is also changing colors this season. After four seasons with Pays Salonais Basket in NM2 inFrance's fourth division, the international player signed up a few days ago with Archers de l'Ail-Rousset Basket.
France's based Malagasy basketball player, Sitraka Raharimanantoanina, has joined Elan Béarnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez for two seasons, while his compatriot Kiady Razanamahenina is leaving, having not been retained on the squad.
After the African Mini-Basket Forum, which brought together 400 children, it was the turn of the youngsters, this time in the U14 category. A total of 68 teams - 36 boys' and 32 girls' - will be vying for the title of Madagascar champion. The tournament tips off on Saturday, July 27 and runs until August 4. Madagascar's top teams, including COSFA, MB2ALL and ASCUT, are all taking part.
Qualified for the Pristina Challenger FIBA 3x3, Madagascar's Fiary Rakotonirina, Livio Ratianarivo, Elly Randriamampionona and Alpha Solondrainy finished the tournament with one win and one loss. Drawn in Pool B, the islanders defeated Latvia's Kandava Turiba 21-19, before falling to Riffa 17-16. Riffa would later go on to win the tournament.
The Malagasy team finished ninth in the final standings, with a 1-1 streak and an average of 18 points.
The Caretaker Committee, set up following the dissolution of the Mauritius Basketball Federation (MMBF) board by the general meeting on June 15,is making good progress. After meeting club representatives two weeks ago, the committee held a working session with officers from the Ministry of Sports on Wednesday.
Caretaker Committee chairman Philippe Boudou praised the collaboration of his assistants Stéphanie Hon Pin and Pascal Prayag. During the meeting with the Ministry of Sports, Mr. Boudou stated that the committee's objectives are to ensure that everything is done according to the rules, thus enabling Mauritian basketball to start afresh.
The Caretaker Committee plans to hold an elective general meeting by the end of September. At a meeting with the clubs, Philippe Boudou stressed the importance of respecting the rules and noted that the next meeting would be reserved exclusively for club management.
[Photography / Imagery Courtesy of FIBA & Malagasy Basketball Federation
