NBA Africa Managing Director Fall praises AfroBasket's growth

LAGOS (AfroBasket 2015) - Amadou Gallo Fall, Vice-President of Operations and Managing Director of NBA Africa, believes AfroBasket is growing.

Speaking to FIBA.com recently in Lagos, the former Senegal international applauded the efforts of FIBA Africa in building up AfroBasket to its current position.

Not least, he referred to its strength as a 16-team competition - especially compared to what it was in the past, when countries sometimes passed up the opportunity to compete in the tournament due to issues around limited interest and funding.

"There are anywhere up to eight countries who can be said to be a real contender," declared Fall.

"That is set against past competitions, where a real contender for the title could be narrowed down to only two or three countries.

"If we look at AfroBasket from inception in 1962 through until 1978, participation had always been between five and 10 countries.

"But the competition really started gaining ground from 1980, where the number of countries started increasing - albeit with some fluctuation in numbers.

"Real stability came in 1999, when the number of participants reached 12 and then 16 from 2007 and it has remained so ever since.

"Another factor to consider is that the competition was dominated by Egypt, Senegal, Central Africa, Morocco and Cote d'Ivoire and these five nations won the competition until Angola came on the scene in 1989.

"They have remained a constant figure ever since, with countries such as Nigeria, Cameroon and Tunisia also showing a strong presence."

Concerning this year's edition of the tournament, Gallo recognises that it will be difficult to say who will win.

"It is difficult to rate one country as the favourite to win the 2015 edition of AfroBasket," he said.

"Many African players who ply their trade in big leagues of the world are identifying more with the national teams and so Tunisia will be an even tougher competition.

"It has always been the dream of NBA Africa to work closely with FIBA Africa to contribute to the growth of the game across the continent and we want to thank FIBA world for all their development efforts."

AfroBasket 2015 will take place from 19-30 August in Nabeul and Tunis, Tunisia.

FIBA