By Ayomide Otitoju
The Basketball Africa League (BAL) and Wave Côte d’Ivoire have inaugurated a newly renovated basketball court at 4 Paniers in Abidjan’s Yopougon district, marking the latest milestone in their joint effort to expand access to quality sports infrastructure in West Africa. The initiative forms part of NBA Africa’s long-term commitment to build or refurbish 1,000 basketball courts across the continent over the next decade.
The court was officially unveiled by Wave Côte d’Ivoire General Manager Katier Bamba and BAL Head of League Operations Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje. The ceremony featured a skills clinic for 50 young players aged 16 and under from local schools and a U-23 3-on-3 tournament for male and female athletes.
Boumtje-Boumtje said the renovation aligns with BAL’s mission to empower youth through sport. “Over the past year, our joint efforts with Wave, including hosting tournaments and creating safe spaces for young boys and girls to learn and play, will leave a lasting and meaningful impact in communities across Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal,” he said.
Bamba noted that Wave’s participation reflects its broader community-development mandate. “This project is not just about renovating a court, but about building confidence and inspiring the next generation for an even stronger Côte d’Ivoire tomorrow,” she said.
Since launching their collaboration in March 2025, BAL and Wave have organised Tournoi des Quartiers competitions in Abidjan and Dakar, each offering a 1,000,000 CAF prize to the winning team. The partnership also sponsored an all-expenses-paid trip for Reine Esther Yao of Côte d’Ivoire’s U-18 Women’s National Team to attend the 2025 BAL Finals in Pretoria, South Africa.
