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Springbok Women interim head coach Louis Koen congratulated his squad on their effort in Madagascar during the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, where they won all three their games and lifted the trophy at Stade Maki in Antananarivo on Sunday. The win also secured qualification to the new WXV 2 tournament, which will be played in …
Deputy President Paul Mashatile has commended efforts led by the Eastern Cape Provincial Government in bringing stability to the Macadamia Project.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, is leading a South African Parliament delegation to the Executive Committee (EXCO) of the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), currently underway in Mahe, Seychelles.
In the world of luxury accessories, one material has captivated fashion enthusiasts for its exotic charm and unparalleled elegance – ostrich leather. Known for its distinctive texture, durability, and sophistication, ostrich leather has become a symbol of opulence and style. From handbags to wallets and belts, ostrich leather products exude a timeless allure that sets …
Human Settlement s Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has commended Limpopo Province for turning the tide on housing delivery.
The Presidency has moved to clarify some of the frequently asked questions on the role of the Minister in the Presidency responsible for electricity.
Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu has emphasised that child protection can only be realised, through cooperation and joint efforts from various sectors of society, which brings along all spheres of government under one roof, with a common objective.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will later today, travel to the Federal Republic of Nigeria to attend the Inauguration of His Excellency President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinub to take place on Monday.
Egypt's Al Ahly defeated Senegal's AS Douanes 80-65 to win the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL) (http://www.NBA.com/theBAL) Finals, which took place at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda and reached fans in 214 countries and territories in 17 languages.
Following the game, BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall and FIBA Africa President Anibal Manave presented Al Ahly with the BAL Championship Trophy and Al Ahly forward Anunwa “Nuni” Omot with The Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy for winning the 2023 BAL Most Valuable Player Award. Omot recorded per game averages of 18.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists during the season.
Al Ahly went 7-1 during the Nile Conference group phase and Playoffs, defeating Rwanda Energy Group and Mali's Stade Malien in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, to advance to the Finals. Stade Malien defeated Angola's Club Atlético Petróleos de Luanda (Petro de Luanda) 73-65 in the third-place game yesterday.
Notable attendees throughout the 2023 BAL Playoffs and Finals included NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum; FIBA President Hamane Niang; FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis; NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams; Fall; Manave; FIBA Africa Executive Director Alphonse Bilé; Toronto Raptors Vice-Chairman and Team President Masai Ujiri; Academy Award-winning actor, social activist and NBA Africa investor Forest Whitaker; BAL Ambassadors and NBA Africa investors Luol Deng (South Sudan), Joakim Noah (grandfather from Cameroon) and Ian Mahinmi (France; ties to Benin); and New York Knicks President of G League Operations Pops Mensah-Bonsu (Ghana).
The league has also announced several end-of-season awards, some of which honor pioneering African NBA legends:
2023 BAL Coach of the Year
AS Douanes head coach Mamadou Gueye led his team to a 3-2 record in the Sahara Conference group phase before defeating Mozambique's Clube Ferroviário da Beira (CFV-Beira) and Petro de Luanda to advance to the Finals. Gueye becomes the first African-born coach to win the award.
2023 BAL Defensive Player of the Year
Stade Malien center Aliou Diarra received The Dikembe Mutombo Trophy after helping his team to a 5-3 record and recording per game averages of 18.3 points, 12.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.
2023 BAL Sportsmanship Award
CFV-Beira guard Will Perry received The Manute Bol Trophy for exemplifying the ideals of sportsmanship and camaraderie.
2023 All-BAL First Team
|
Position |
Player |
Team |
|
Guard |
Jean Jacques Boissy |
AS Douanes |
|
Guard |
Chris Crawford |
AS Douanes |
|
Guard |
Dane Miller Jr. |
S.L.A.C |
|
Forward |
Anunwa Omot |
Al Ahly |
|
Forward |
Aliou Diarra |
Stade Malien |
2023 All-BAL Defensive Team
|
Position |
Player |
Team |
|
Guard |
Childe Dundao |
Petro de Luanda |
|
Guard |
Jean Jacques Boissy |
AS Douanes |
|
Guard |
Samkelo Cele |
Cape Town Tigers |
|
Forward |
Aliou Diarra |
Stade Malien |
|
Center |
Ater Majok |
Petro de Luanda |
The voting panels were comprised of coaches, team captains, media and broadcasters in attendance and varied for each award. The 2023 BAL Ubuntu Award, which is awarded to an individual or organization that has made an impact on the local community during the BAL season, will be announced at a later date.
The 2023 BAL season once again featured the top 12 club teams from 12 African countries playing a total of 38 games in Dakar, Senegal; Cairo, Egypt; and Kigali, Rwanda over three months. Champions from the national leagues in Angola, Egypt, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal and Tunisia earned their participation in the 2023 BAL season by winning their respective national leagues. The remaining six teams, which came from Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Mozambique, South Africa and Uganda, secured their participation through the Road to the BAL qualifying tournaments conducted by FIBA Africa across the continent from October to November 2022.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Contact:
Edwin Eselem
BAL Communications
+221 78 615 4287
EEselem@theBAL.com
About the BAL:
The Basketball Africa League (BAL), a partnership between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the NBA, is a professional league featuring 12 club teams from across Africa. Headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, the BAL builds on the foundation of club competitions FIBA Africa has organized across the continent and marks the NBA's first collaboration to operate a league outside North America. Fans can follow the BAL (@theBAL) on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube and register their interest in receiving more information at NBA.com/BAL.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed a three-member independent panel to enquire into the circumstances of the docking of the Russian vessel known as Lady R in Simonstown, Western Cape, in December 2022.
The Cell C Sharks claimed a big victory in Welkom to move to the top of the Currie Cup Premier Division standings, while the Fidelity ADT Lions and Vodacom Bulls secured important wins to keep their playoff hopes alive. The KwaZulu-Natalians took some time to get into the contest against the NovaVit Griiffons on Friday. …
Paul Roos are the bosses of Brug Straat as they defeat Paarl Boys’ High, 35-17 in an epic Sportsmans Warehouse Premier Interschools encounter on Saturday. It was a dream start to this classic encounter for Boishaai as they scored their first try of the game from kick-off. A great turnover by blindside flanker Ruben Dames …
Celebrating its 10th anniversary at the ATKV Buffelspoort on Sunday 04 June 2023, the Fedhealth Platinum Trail Run has attracted the attention of ‘pro trail runner turned roadie turned coach’, Rory Scheffer (Hurlingham, Johannesburg). “I’m looking forward to taking part in my first Fedhealth Platinum Trail Run,” says Scheffer. “I’ve heard that the event attracts …
Members of the Cabinet of the Western Cape Government (WCG) met on 24 May, to discuss a number of critical matters: European Union-Western Cape Government’s strong relations Ms. Sandra Kramer, the Ambassador of a delegation of the European Union (EU) currently visiting South Africa, was a special guest and was invited by Premier Alan Winde …
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber had the luxury of naming a group of 33 players for their second preparation camp in Durban from Monday to Wednesday, which included 10 players who featured in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Grand Final in Cape Town on Saturday evening, and a host of overseas-based players. The squad is more …
Munster earned their first Vodacom United Rugby Championship title since 2011 in front of a record crowd of over 56 300 fans as they scored a late try to deny hosts, the DHL Stormers, their second successive title at home, thanks to a narrow 19-14 victory in an intense Grand Final in Cape Town on …
Dunoworx, a 51% black-owned company, was formed in March 2022 to take over the entire Cell C repair centre, which today looks after the mobile handset repairs for Cell C customers. Cell C’s Enterprise Development Fund which invests in the education and development of South African Youth, is a proud investor in the Dunoworx Learnership …
Gqeberha duo Bruce Campbell and Jay Carneiro continued their dominance of the 2023 Great Zuurberg Trek mountain bike race despite punctures threatening their overall lead today. Stage two was extended by 7km to make up for the distance lost on the first day, when heavy rains made parts of the route too muddy to ride. …
Billed as SA’s next top hip-hop sensation, Imaad Baderoen, aka Gr8ful, drops his latest single, Slippery on all streaming platforms today. The charismatic 21-year-old has already formed quite a fan base since releasing his first EP in 2021 with catchy beats and lyrics that speak directly to the GenZ audience. His previous success has made …
On Thursday, the Reserve Bank unanimously agreed to a 50 basis points increment in the Repo Rate to 8.25%. This translates to a new prime lending rate of 11.75% for our citizens. Faced with this tough economic climate, coupled with unemployment challenges citizens and youth are left with significantly reduced resources to fend for themselves. …
A packed Stade Maki, an intimidating crowd and a fired-up home team await the Springbok Women in Antananarivo on Sunday, when they conclude their Rugby Africa Women’s Cup tournament against Madagascar. For Springbok Women captain, Chumisa Qawe, the challenge looms large, but it is one that is highly anticipated by her and the team. “We …
The Springbok Women interim head coach Louis Koen has included former Junior Springbok Women lock Vainah Ubisi in his starting team to play Madagascar in the final game of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Antananarivo on Sunday, and handed Tayla Kinsey a first start in the tournament at scrumhalf. DHL Western Province hooker Lucell …
Hyde Park Corner is once again raising a glass and declaring ‘slàinte’ to WhiskyBrother&Co who opened their store at the shopping centre in 2021. WhiskyBrother&Co has, for the second time, been named the Single Outlet Retailer of the Year at the 2023 Icons of Whisky Awards held annually by Whisky Magazine in London. General Manager …
Complaint against Lesley Ramulifho, implicated in Lottery corruption, must be investigated, judge rules