The Basketball African League
Hi Y'All!
Let’s talk sports. And by that, I mean mostly me watching sports.
Honestly, these days the only time I really tune in is when it’s something big — think World Cup, AFCON, or the Olympics. As for actually playing a sport... well, let’s just say it’s been a minute. (Okay, more like since 2006.)
Back in the day though, I was all in. Like most kids, I did the usual PE classes at school, but the ones that truly stole my heart were gymnastics and basketball. Especially basketball. Now, was I good at it? Absolutely not. But did I love it with my whole soul? 100%.
I was that kid who would sneak into other classes’ PE sessions just for a chance to play a few extra rounds. And I didn’t just play — I came dressed for the part, rocking the jerseys and the freshest sneakers around. My classmates, always ready with a nickname, decided to call me Jordan — half out of affection, half in mockery. (Trust me, no one was confusing me with an actual basketball star.)
These days, basketball isn’t really a part of my daily life anymore. I rarely watch, and I definitely don’t play. But recently, something happened that made me reconnect with that old love for the game: the BAL or Basket Ball Africa League.
If you didn’t know, the Basketball Africa League (BAL) is the premier men’s basketball league on the continent. It was founded pretty recently, in 2019, and it’s co-organized by NBA Africa and the International Basketball Federation. The season usually runs from March to June, with twelve teams divided into three conferences battling it out. Here in Dakar, we get to host the Sahara Conference.
Ever since BAL kicked off, I had dreams of attending a game. But somehow, the timing was never right.
The matches would land on weekends in late April or early May — just when I didn’t have the boys with me. Sure, I could have gone solo, but it didn’t feel the same. Plus, the games happen at Dakar Arena in Diamniadio, which, for someone like me without a car, sounded like a mini road trip nightmare.
Fast forward to last year: I was determined to make it happen.
Luckily, one of my good friends was also interested and wanted to bring her sons too. So we made a plan! I booked the tickets online, and off we went — two cars in a convoy: her husband driving one with their boys, and she driving the second with me and my crew. The drive was chaotic, but we made it just in time for tip-off. It was my first time at Dakar Arena, and wow — it did not disappoint. The place is massive, modern, and buzzing with energy. Inside, the vibe was electric. People were so happy. Live bands were hyping up the crowd with music and playful banter. We scored amazing seats right behind the teams — close enough to hear the players huddle and strategize mid-game! Across the court, the VIP section was packed with Senegalese and international celebrities, influencers, and stars. While most of us were rocking casual outfits, over there it was full-on glamour — a dazzling runway of African fashion at its best. And lucky us — the local Senegalese team snatched a win at the very last second! The whole arena exploded with joy. It was surreal, magical, and absolutely unforgettable. That night rekindled something inside me — a little reminder of how much I used to love the game.
This year, as soon as I saw the ads for the BAL, I also made plans to attend with the boys and my girlfriend. I booked the tickets online. And we strategized on how to get to Dakar Arena. My girlfriend feared driving at night on the highway toll. And this time, her husband was away at work. Therefore, we made the decision to take the TER (train) from Dakar to Diamniadio, grab a shuttle bus from Diamniadio station to Dakar Arena. And for the way back home, we would hire a chauffeur service.
The arena was packed. I have the feeling that the ads did help. Moreover, the BAL and their sponsors offered free tickets to the younger crowd coming from outside the city. We also had great seats, right in the middle. The game was between Petro de Luanda and ASC ville of Dakar. The Luandans were the reigning champs and it showed. They dominated the entire game with their fast pace, aggressive attacks and dunks. We did not stand a chance although we tried. The public was loudly cheering, with the supporters of ASC Ville playing deafening drums. However, all the support did not matter. We lost in the end.
ASC Ville de Dakar team in blue
Amadeus, a rising Senegalese star sang during the halftime show, which delighted the entire crowd. This young boy is so good, I am even considering going to his concert even though I am not familiar with his entire discography. The sponsors also had games going on; and a flight cam, which is an equivalent of a kiss cam but people on screen would simulate flying like a plane.
Since they confiscated our snacks and drinks before entering the arena, we had to buy some food inside. There was an Eric Kayser restaurant downstairs. I bought shawarma for all of us with some fries and water. The line was super long and I missed the beginning of the game. Thankfully the food was tasty and not as expensive as I expected it to be, particularly for that brand of a restaurant.
The boys
The event was great but I felt that the organization was lacking. There were several checkpoints before we could enter the arena. However, there was no one to guide people on where to go to enter the stadium. We were lucky to know where to go because it was our second time there. Moreover, there was just one main entrance to the arena, actually two: one for the VIPs and one for the crowd. However, I felt that with such a big crowd, they needed more entries. Secondly, the security checkpoints did not cater to families. They wanted our group to be divided into the female and male lines, to be searched. However, I was the one with the digital tickets on my phone, which meant that the boys could not be seperated from me. I had to shout to make the staff understand that we were together. I think they should also open a line for families, particularly for the ones with small children.
At the end of the day I had a lot of fun. I screamed, I cursed, I danced, I gossiped, I laughed until I cried. I have not had fun like this in a while. It was good for my soul. I did spend a ridiculous amount of money for this event. But was it worth it? Seeing the boys face light up when AS ville scored, or trying to get pictures with one of the players outside, made it all worth it. However, next year, I want to have an upgraded experience. We shall see how I am going to achieve that.
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