Basketball Africa League wins 2021 Sports Competition of the Year Award at the Sports Impact Awards in Dakar, Senegal

Beyond a unifying event, the Sport Impact Awards ceremony aims to promote the sharing of experiences for a replica of the best projects across the continent

Dakar was host to the first edition of the Sport Impact Awards under the triple word theme: “reward, unite and inspire”.

Beyond a unifying event, the Sport Impact Awards ceremony aims to promote the sharing of experiences for a replica of the best projects across the continent.

It was an opportunity to promote and reward the commitment of a selection of key players who had distinguished themselves in the sports industry in 2021. 10 awards were handed out during the first edition: 

1. Best Sport & Health Initiative
2. Best Sport & Education Initiative
3. Best Sport & Gender Equality Initiative
4. Best Sport & Innovation Initiative
5. Best Sport & Inclusion initiative
6. Sports Competition of the year
7. Sports Infrastructure of the year
8.  Public Action of the year
9. Sport Impact Leaders Project of the Year
10. Special Jury Prize for an initiative in Senegal

“We are pleased to organize the first edition of this pan-African event here in Senegal by bringing together representatives of public institutions, sports, the private sector, investment funds and civil society organizations. This is the very essence of our activities, which aim to unite around sport and showcase high-impact initiatives on the continent”, said Nelson Camara, Executive Director, Sport Impact.

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) wins Sports Competition of the Year 2021 award

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) kicked off its historic inaugural season from May 16-30, 2021, at the Kigali Arena in Kigali, Rwanda, with 12 teams coming from 12 African countries. The BAL, which is headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, builds on the foundation of club competitions FIBA Regional Office Africa has organized in Africa and marks the NBA’s first collaboration to operate a league outside North America.

For this second expanded season currently underway, the 12 teams are divided into two conferences: the Sahara Conference and the Nile Conference. The group phase of the Sahara conference (March 5 – 15) just ended in Dakar. 

The second phase continues at the Hassan Mostafa Indoor Sports Complex in Cairo (April 9 – 19). The top four teams from each conference will qualify for the BAL finals, which will consist of a knockout tournament and the final at the Kigali, Rwanda from May 21-28.

It is also worth noting that Rwanda was also won an award for Sports Infrastructure of the Year. The 2022 BAL play-off and finals will once again be held at the world-class Kigali Arena.

The 2022 BAL season will reach large audiences in more than 215 countries and territories. Fans can register for tickets and more information at NBA.com/BAL.

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