Launch of Basketball Africa league postponed due to coronavirus scare
By ANA reporter 
Mar 4, 2020
PRETORIA – The Basketball Africa League (BAL) has postponed the start of its season due to concerns surrounding COVID-19.
“Following the recommendation of the Senegalese government regarding the escalating health concerns related to the Coronavirus, the BAL’s inaugural season will be postponed. I am disappointed we are not able to tip off this historic league as scheduled but look forward to the highly-anticipated launch of the BAL at a later date,” said BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall in a statement.
This announcement comes after the West Africa country reported its first case on Monday, the patient is a French national and a resident of Senegal who returned to Dakar on February 26.
The league, which announced its 12 teams during All-Star Weekend, was scheduled to begin March 13 in Dakar, Senegal.
Egypt, Senegal, Morocco and Nigeria all have confirmed cases of coronavirus, and all four countries have a team playing in the BAL this season.
The Basketball Africa League will be played in seven cities namely:
Cairo, Dakar, Lagos, Luanda, Monastir and Salé. The playoffs and title game will be played in Kigali, Rwanda.
African News Agency (ANA)