COTONOU (Benin) - There is excitement in the air around the basketball community in Benin Republic with the announcement by the country's Basketball that plans have been concluded for the resumption of a new league format.

President of the Republic of Benin Basketball Federation (FBB) Ismahinl Onifade and local clubs have recently held a meeting following the lifting of restriction on sporting activities to fine-tune ways for the resumption of the league.

Talking to FIBA.basketball FBB vice-president Ganiyou Bakare confirmed that a communication from the Sports Project Management Consultant, Sosthene Seflimi on the Creation of Sports Societies and the Tax for the Development of Sport (TDS) was discussed, and he noted that members of FBB executive committee, club managers and basketball players have a clear idea about the process of creating a sports society, its operation and also the mechanism of payment of TDS by companies.

President of the Benin Basketball Federation Onifade (right) is seen here with his Vice President Ganiyou Bakare

In the process, ten teams sports companies have been created, including ATA Sports from Natitingou, Pantheres from Djougou, Kabas from Kandi, Bosco Stars from Parakou, ASPAC from Parakou, Real Sports from Parakou, Energie Basketball Cub of Cotonou, Elan Sportifs from Porto-Novo and Eternal from Porto-Novo.

The Professional Basketball Super League will take place initially at the zonal phase before the playoffs.

According to FBB, the championship of other categories starts on Saturday, March 13, 2021 while the Professional Basketball Super League and the Amateur League 2 will be launched on Saturday, March 20.

"Because we couldn't pursue the league due to COVID-19 restrictions, Elan and ASPAC were respectively champion and vice-champion based on ranking as at March 17th, 2020 the date we stopped the league," Bakare explained. 

"Pro-League 1 will start with ten professional teams for men and 4 for women.

"Every company operating in Benin and having a minimum turnover of 1billion FCFA is asked to invest 1/1000 of its previous turnover to support a team of its choice and these are football, basketball, handball and volleyball.

Arnold Yacoubou who plays for champions ELAN Sportifs says he is excited that basketball is returning in a big way.

"We're quite happy and excited to start playing again. The break was very long and to think that we're resuming in a couple of days is a great relief. We prepared well even with a very rejuvenated team and we are ready to defend the club's colors."

"The format of the league this season puts all players on their toes because we are taking another step towards professionalism and grateful to the federation and the government for this new drive."

Brice Yovo, a coach with ASPAC says the atmosphere around basketball is already intense as players in various clubs look forward to the new format of the league.

"Players, as well as coaches and the clubs, are happy to know that the League will resume after more than 11 months of suspension due to the coronavirus but I can say that everyone is looking forward to the restart of the league with great expectations."

FIBA