Amadou Fall has been named President of the NBA’s Basketball Africa League which is due to commence in 2020 after an official announcement was made earlier this year.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made the announcement of the latest NBA project in Africa at this year’s All Star Weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Fall-who serves as the NBA Managing Director for Africa had his new role confirmed on Tuesday as preparations ramp up for the maiden edition of the continental competition.
The upcoming tournament tips off in March and ends in May with teams from 12 nations due to play. League winners from six nations including Angola, Egypt and Tunisia qualify automatically to the tournament while a special qualifying tournament will be organized for teams from nations including Rwanda.
Speaking after his new role was confirmed, Fall said to ESPN: “I am extremely excited about the opportunity…We’re working closely with FIBA to build a compelling property. There is tremendous opportunity to grow the game of basketball in Africa”.
Close to 40 games are expected to be played in the first year of the tournament.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter
