NAIROBI, Kenya, April 4- Eight African countries are set to take part in a unique basketball tournament dubbed the Slamfest Super League scheduled for July 20 to 22 at Nairobi’s Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Nigeria, Senegal Benin and Rwanda will join the hosts Kenya in the competition where 16 games will be played in round robin format followed by the knock-out phase with the winner taking home $100,000 (Sh8.3m).
On Friday the event received $2m (Sh166m) in sponsorship from pay television service providers, Zuku that will include bringing in the teams, broadcasting the tournament across Africa, prize money as well as logistical costs.
Speaking at the unveiling of the event, Stephen Othoro of Vision 21 Sports, the brain child behind the event outlined the objectives of the event.
“The tournament shall elevate the game by providing professional synergies with key stakeholders offering a high competitive event and entertainment experience,” he stressed.
America’s National Basketball Association (NBA) Head of Africa, Amadou Gallo Fall, lauded the initiative and success the continent has brought to the global stage of the sport.
“Certainly we wanted to make sure that the globalization of our game does not bypass Africa. So we are excited about the tremendous athletic potential that is in the continent and the NBA has had over 30 players from here over the years,” Fall added.
“We will develop the infrastructure by linking up with a basketball federations. We have identified five countries as our initial priorities they are South Africa, where we are based. So we have set out to go out to all these markets and countries and see how we can empower the federations help them build capacity,” he added.
“We are excited about the event as it will provide an avenue for showcasing local talent and skill as well as raising the standard of regional basketball and basketball production” Wananchi Group, parent company to Zuku, CEO Richard Bell outlined.
