As we transition from the end of 2022 to the beginning of 2023, a renewed sense of excitement fills the air for basketball fans across Africa. The upcoming 11th edition of the Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG), scheduled to be hosted by Madagascar in August-September, stands as a significant event for the countries in the Zone 7 region. Beyond the IOIG, other captivating developments are also unfolding.
Last Updated on
January 7, 2024
Jonathan Oriant
Staff Writer
The Fédération Malagasy de Basket Ball, (host nation for the Indian Ocean Island Games), will be looking to defend its title as the reigning 3x3 African champion in men's and runner-up in women's 3x3.
The country has already hosted the Games twice before, in 1990 and 2007, and this year will see the inclusion of the 3x3 format for the first time.
Local federations have promised to send their teams to the Games, and the country will be relying on the experience of its players, such as Elly Randriamampionona and Christiane Jaofera, to claim gold medals. #Madagascar
In Mauritius, two major events are currently monopolising attention at the beginning of the year.
The first is the resumption of the national championships and the second is the appointment of national coaches for the Indian Ocean Island Games in Madagascar next August.
The championship had temporarily stopped due to the tragic death of a player, Krishen Valaydon, during a game. The Mauritius Basketball Federation has imposed physical and medical examinations on the clubs to avoid a repeat of the tragedy. The results of these examinations are expected and only players who pass will be eligible to play.
The Federation is also calling on a private service provider to ensure medical service during matches and the clubs will also have to help with the costs.
Jerome Tonta, who led the Roche-Bois Warriors to their first Mauritian championship title, was appointed as the head coach of the men's national team, while Désiré Numa, a former Warriors coach, will lead the women’s national squad. #Mauritius
Jana Malbrook, a former national team player, has taken the reins of the Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) after being elected in November. Succeeding Jean-Guy Alphonse, Malbrook, daughter of Seychelles men's team coach Michel, and with her mother Simone having played for Seychelles in her youth, brings a wealth of basketball heritage
Malbrook has connected the Victoria gymnasium, which hosts the archipelago's basketball games, to the FIBA Connected Stadium program. This will allow basketball fans around the world to have a look at what's being done in the archipelago via live stream. As part of the program, SBF will retain the commercial rights to the content, which can be sold to local TV channels or to the OTT platform. #Seychelles
In Comoros, coaches have gone back to school for a few days of training. In total, 45 coaches, 30 of whom discovered the Start Coaching under the guidance of Moustapha Keita, a FIBA instructor, and 15 who left with the Level 1 Diploma. This campaign is part of the basketball development in #Comoros.
That is it this week from Zone 7 but stay with Africabasket for more news from the continent.
[Image/Photography Credit: the Fédération Malagasy de Basket Ball, the Comoros Basketball Federation, Mauritius Basketball Federation and the Seychelles Basketball Federation]
