Your weekly dose of FIBA Africa Zone 7 News: After a long, long break, Mauritius is about to host the Super League, while the "From the Streets to Gold" project is in full swing in Madagascar.
Last Updated on
January 31, 2024
Jonathan Oriant
Staff Writer
3x3 Hooper Hunger for More After 6th Place Finish in Lyon
A week after achieving an honourable fifth place at FIBA's 3x3 Tournoi International 3x3 LA Plagne X Aura in Lyon, France, the Comoros women's 3x3 national team took time to reflect on their performance. While expressing satisfaction, they also acknowledge a hunger for more success.
"It was a great experience, we learned a lot and we hope this is the start of a new adventure", says Houlfat Mahouchiza in a message posted on social networks.
Discussing the support they have received from their fans, ASVEL Feminin Basket player Dounya Bourhani stated:
"It was a great tournament and we're proud to have been able to show who the Comoros players are. We hope that we will be able to show off our jerseys and make further progress."
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The Haute Matsiatra Basketball League's qualifying tournament witnessed the EBF women's U23 team emerge victorious and secure qualification. The triumphant team will represent the region at the "Camp National de Formation et de la Sélection, scheduled in Antananarivo from February 16th to 18th.
Additionally, the qualifying tournament for the southwest region will take place at the Mitafo Tsienengea Stadium on February 3rd and 4th. This tournament will showcase female players in the U23 category once again. As a reminder, this is part of the "From the Street to Gold" project, initiated by the Malagasy Basketball Federation in collaboration with the French Embassy.
The Super League tips-off in February
The 2024 Super League is gearing up for its kickoff at the end of February. The eight participating clubs have until February 7 to submit their final rosters to the Mauritius Basketball Federation (FMBB).
Following the same format as last season, the Super League 2024 will feature a two-legged league phase, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs. The Grand Final is a best-of-five match series.
Currently, the Mauritian Basketball Federation is awaiting the submission of rosters from the respective teams before the players undergo medical tests at the Sports Medical Unit.
Competing teams in this championship include Mahebourg Flippers, Roche-Bois Warriors, Pointe-aux-Sables Mates, Highlands Young Cadets, Hammers, Forest-Side, Harlems, and F17. The newly promoted F17, having won the Premier Division title, will join the Super League. Conversely, bottom club Curepipe Starlight SC were relegated to the First Division.
In the women’s league, the four teams from the previous season - Real, Harlems, Roche-Bois Spark, and Storm - remain in contention. According to Hedley Han, two new teams, Bambous and Union Sportive de Beau-Bassin/Rose-Hill (USBBRH), intend to join the competition.
Mont Fleuri’s Basketball Revival
Mont Fleuri district, devoid of local basketball for nearly a year, witnessed a revival on Sunday as Member of the National Assembly, Michel Roucou, organized a 3x3 tournament at the district court, despite the absence of basketball events in 2023, except for the Curtain-raiser tournament won by Beau Vallon Heat, the initiative aimed to bring back the sport and educate the community on the significance of sports activities.
Coordinated by Seychelles Basketball Federation (SBF) member Tracey Moustache, the tournament drew only three teams – Ballerz, Underdogs, and Boom Boom. Ballerz, led by Alf Aglaé, Kenny Okafor, and Khris Bouchereau, clinched victory, outperforming Boom Boom and Underdogs.
In addition to the main event, a 3-point shooting competition took place, with Ah-Kong emerging as the winner. Discussing the event with Sports NATION, Michel Roucou expressed plans for a series of activities for the Mont Fleuri district, initially scheduled for December but postponed due to recent tragedies in the Archipelago.
