Senegal is hosting the Sahara Conference of the Basketball Africa League. African teams are competing at the Dakar Arena, hoping to secure a spot in the finals, which will take place in Pretoria in June.

Dakar

Senegal is hosting the Sahara Conference of the Basketball Africa League at the Dakar Arena. The event features four leading African basketball teams competing for a place in the finals, which will occur in Pretoria. The tournament's opening was marked by an energetic atmosphere that has been drawing more Senegalese fans to the sport.

The excitement around the event is palpable, with fans enjoying pre-match festivities and performances by famous artists. The standout matchup included ES Wim de Dakar facing off against Cap Verde's Creole Stars. The Basketball Africa League, established through a collaboration between the NBA and the International Basketball Federation, has grown significantly since its inception five years ago, now standing as one of the continent's major sporting spectacles.

A steady increase in spectator attendance over the years is evident, with numbers rising from 70,000 thirty years ago to 120,000 last year. Officials are optimistic about exceeding those figures this season. The top eight teams from this conference will advance to the playoffs in Pretoria, where the competition continues in a bid to crown the league champions.



Teams compete for Africa basketball league finals qualification

A buzzing atmosphere outside Dakar Arena, the capital's modern sports complex. More and more Senegalese are beginning to love basketball. The atmosphere here is exceptional. This Saturday, the Zahara Conference kicked off, where four top African basketball teams are battling it out at the arena for the next week. It was the place to be for fans of the orange ball and urban culture. Before the start of every match, we have a good time here. It's an annual event that's not to be missed. Inside the stadium, the energy was electric. Performances by famous artists, appearances by global celebrities and of course the main event, ES Wim de Dakar shooting hoops against Cap Verde's Creole stars. Here it's unique. It's like the United States. It's like Europe. It's extraordinary. Hats off to the Basketball Africa League. Five years ago, the Basketball Africa League, or BAL, was born of a partnership between the NBA and the International Basketball Federation. It has since become one of the biggest sporting events on the continent. The number of fans in our arenas increases every year. 30 years ago it was 70,000. Last year it was 120,000. I'm sure we'll surpass that figure this year. Once again, we're very encouraged and excited about what season five will bring. The top eight African teams will meet in Pretoria in June for the Basketball Africa League playoffs.

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