BAL and AfroBasket 2021 in Tunisian Abada's bucket list

SOUSSE (Tunisia) - 2020 may have become a year to forget for a number of reasons, but for Tunisian Omar Abada it's been a heck of a year, professionally speaking, that is.  

Over the last two weeks, the 27-year-old guard won not one, but two major domestic titles.

First he helped Tunisian League reigning champions Union Monastir to the defence of their title, and a week later, Abada was crucial in helping his team capture the 2020 Tunisian Cup trophy.

Yet, he wants more.

"THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT KEEP MOTIVATED AS A PLAYER. PLAYING AT THE BASKETBALL AFRICA LEAGUE AND HELP MY COUNTRY QUALIFY FOR THE AFROBASKET RANK AT THE TOP OF MY BUCKET LIST."- OMAR ABADA

As the reigning AfroBasket champions Tunisia opened a two-week training camp on Wednesday in Sousse, Abada reflects on what has been a complicated year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but a good moment in his career, in his words.

"I can't wait to get started with the national team again," Abada said to FIBA.basketball as players and newly-appointed head coach Dirk Bauermann prepare to work together for the first time since his appointment in February.

The Tunisians in November will go up against 2021 AfroBasket Qualifiers Group A's opposition Central African Republic, Madagascar and Democratic Republic of Congo in an attempt to qualify for the Final Round.

"With all due respect to our opponents we want to win the group. Over the last 12 years our mentality has been based on winning every game we play. With the new head coach, we are going to maintain that same philosophy," Abada noted.

"We are aware that it won't be easy, but that's the reason why we're starting our preparations now as we need to get better as a team," emphasised the 1.89m (6ft 2in) guard.

The teams that finish in the group's top three places will qualify for the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket in Kigali, Rwanda.

Bauermann replaced five-time AfroBasket champion Mario Palma at the helm of the Eagles of Carthage, who are targeting their eleventh straight appearance at FIBA Africa' flagship event.

Omar Abada is seen in action at the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup in China

But what exactly keeps Abada motivated?

"There are so many things that keep me motivated as a player. Playing at the Basketball Africa League and help my country qualify to the AfroBasket rank top of my bucket list," Abada observed.

"Playing for Union Monastir this season has been a great experience because I know most of the players from the national team.

"The key to our success in Tunisia comes from a group of highly-experienced group of guys.

"The whole team is excited about the prospect of playing at the Basketball African League. COVID-19 came to disrupt things, but we remain motivated. Sooner or later this COVID-19 issue will be gone and as a team we want to make history by winning the first BAL. 

"Our club has made some big investments for the BAL, signing national team calibre players and excellent international players and we don't want disappoint our fans and club. One of the reasons I accepted an offer from Monastir after playing in France's PRO-B was because of the BAL project. I am excited to play in such an important event with a potential worldwide exposure," Abada continued.

As Tunisian champions - and according to BAL's regulation - Union Monastir along with the champions of Angola, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria and Senegal qualify automatically for the 12-team BAL's Regular Season. 

FIBA