Africa-Press – Rwanda. Following NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s announcement about the plans to begin selling franchises for the Basketball Africa League (BAL), NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi has spoken about the importance of expanding the league to catalyse economic development.
She was speaking in an interview with Bloomberg Television. Akamanzi discussed in detail the future of the BAL and how basketball is influencing the continent.
“The goal is to catalyse economic development using sports and basketball in particular. And so if we are going to catalyse economic development, then we have to look at the whole ecosystem, which is beyond the courts,” she said.
Reports indicate that since its official launch in 2021, the BAL has driven notable economic growth across Africa, adding more than $250 million to the continent’s GDP and generating roughly 37,000 to 40,000 jobs during its first five seasons.
“[We want] to develop other opportunities that come with investment in basketball. You can play professionally in the BAL, but there are so many jobs and opportunities around all of that. If you’re a data analyst, a marketing expert, a technology expert, into AI, or into hospitality, restaurants, security, or transportation, all those industries thrive when the league thrives. And so this is where we’ve seen real impacts,” she noted.
According to league-issued statistics, more than 600 media members from 30 countries across Africa, Europe, and the U.S. were credentialed to cover the three conference group phases.
As reported, a larger plan is underway to expand into more countries and thus increase job and economic growth.
“Imagine how much more we’re going to do when we play in ten countries, 12 countries, 20 countries. It’s going to be a huge, powerful platform for job creation, economic development and dreams for those who want to play professionally,” Akamanzi emphasised.
Phase one is complete, and now NBA Africa and the Basketball Africa League are taking steps to transition into phase two to fortify their sustainability efforts, boost job growth and increase revenue.
The BAL’s growth trajectory has thus far shown immense potential and long-term promise across the continent’s ever-growing (and evolving) basketball landscape, at both the grassroots and professional levels.
The league’s impact on local job creation and sports-driven economic development will strengthen the sport’s foundation. But ultimately, infrastructure and its implementation will take basketball across Africa to the next level.
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