The inaugural Basketball Africa League (BAL) will tip off on May 16 at the Kigali Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, with 12 teams from across Africa competing in the new professional league, the organisers have announced.
According to a statement sent to The Guardian, the BAL, a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the National Basketball Association (NBA), builds on the foundation of club competitions FIBA regional office Africa has organized on the continent and marks the NBA’s first collaboration to operate a league outside of North America.
The first BAL Finals will be held on May 30. According to the organisers, the BAL will implement robust health and safety protocols for the 12 teams and personnel travelling to Rwanda, based on guidance from the World Health Organization and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, with advice from public health officials and medical experts. (Guardian)