Basketball Africa League looks to boost women’s game on continent

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) is working with world governing body Fiba to establish a new women’s club competition in the coming years.

The BAL is in its fourth year as a men’s tournament, with the 2024 champions set to be decided on 1 June after play-offs involving eight teams in Kigali, Rwanda.

BAL president Amadou Gallo Fall says work “is already being done” by his organisation to boost the women’s game.

“There is a women’s club championship that Fiba is running and we built the BAL on the foundation of club basketball that Fiba used to run,” he told BBC Sport Africa.

“We contribute towards investment in growing the women’s game.

“The foundation is laid. Ultimately, that day will come.”

A key challenge for Gallo Fall is to expand the female talent pool across the continent.

“We need to continue to support women’s participation in the sport and the development at grassroots level working with Fiba,” the Senegalese added.

“I know the women’s game is very popular in certain countries – Senegal, Mozambique, Egypt, Mali and Nigeria.

“We want to grow the women’s game to make sure there are more countries playing the sport.”