African Basketball League
The African Basketball League is a men's professional basketball league in Africa established with the vision of creating opportunities in the sports industry by capturing the rich entertainment culture of Africans to promote sports tourism.[1][2]
The objectives of the league are to create wealth and employment; develop intra-Africa tourism and integration; and foster internal growth and development. This will be achieved through the development of an ecosystem that will support the creation of viable and valuable basketball franchises.[3]
History
The ABL was launched on Wednesday December 16, 2015 at the Lagos Boat Club, Ikoyi Lagos. The official presentation of the league was made at the launch including the unveiling of the participating clubs, the introduction of the Management Board and the announcement of the league partners. The inaugural season began on Friday March 4, 2016.[4][5][6]
Teams
Lagos Islanders
Lagos Islanders Basketball Club is a Lagos-based basketball club founded in 1984. The team plays professional basketball in Lagos Nigeria
Stallions
Stallions are owned by Union Bank Plc, Nigeria. They are based in Lagos and they play in the premier basketball league.
Dakar Rapids
Dakar Rapids is a Senegalese basketball team based in country capital Dakar, Senegal.
Lagos Warriors
Lagos Warriors is the professional basketball team of the Dodan Warriors Basketball Programme. The team plays professional basketball in Lagos, Nigeria.
Libreville Izobe
Izobe Basketball Club is an elite basketball club based in Libreville, the capital and largest city of the West-Central African country – Gabon.
Abidjan Ramblers
The Generation Basketball Club also known as Abidjan Ramblers is a professional basketball team based in capital city, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.[7] The Ramblers current coach is Nikolic Milutin originally from Swizterland.
Partners
The ABL has strategic partners which include Wakanow, Cornerstone Insurance, The Beat 99FM, Channels TV, CNBC Africa, CNN, ASKY Airlines, DSTV, Yahoo Sports, EbonyLife TV, Trace TV. SportsBusiness, Union Bank and Radisson Blu
References
- ↑ "So much to gain from African Basketball League, says Udezue » The Guardian Nigeria". Guardian.ng. 2016-04-30. Retrieved 2016-07-18.
- ↑ "NBBF declares African Basketball League illegal - Vanguard News". Vanguardngr.com. 2016-03-08. Retrieved 2016-07-18.
- ↑ "FIBA Africa opposes launch of African Basketball League". FIBA.com. Retrieved 2016-07-18.
- ↑ "African Basketball League -Official Homepage". Ablafrica.com. 2016-07-08. Retrieved 2016-07-18.
- ↑ Tunde Eludini (2015-12-19). "African Basketball League debuts with seven clubs - Premium Times Nigeria". Premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 2016-07-18.
- ↑ "How African Basketball League crashed". Dailytrust.com.ng. 2016-03-19. Retrieved 2016-07-18.
- ↑ "Abidjan Ramblers win inaugural African Basketball League | The NEWS". Thenewsnigeria.com.ng. 2016-06-01. Retrieved 2016-07-18.