PRETORIA
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mso-ansi-language:EN-ZA;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA">– 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.
Basketball Africa League has postponed the start of its season due to concerns surrounding coronavirus. Video: Zodidi Dano/ African News Agency.
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.