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Burundian basketball team forfeits game over Rwanda logo tension

Burundian basketball team forfeits game over Rwanda logo tension at the Basketball Africa League Season 4. (Photo: X/theBAL)

By Mwangi Maina | Monday, March 11, 2024

Despite attempts to defuse the situation, including discussions between team officials and tournament organisers, Dynamo BC ultimately decided to forfeit their game on Sunday against FUS Rabat.

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) tournament was marred by controversy on Sunday as the Burundian basketball team, Dynamo BC, made a strong statement during their opening game.

The team, clad in uniforms featuring the BAL sponsor's prominent "Visit Rwanda" logo, caused a stir by covering the logo with black tape before their scheduled match on Saturday.

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Dynamo was taking on host nation team Cape Town Tigers at the SunBet Arena and won 86-73.

This act, seen as a direct response to the ongoing political friction between Burundi and Rwanda, quickly escalated into a controversy.

Despite attempts to defuse the situation, including discussions between team officials and tournament organisers, Dynamo BC ultimately decided to forfeit their game on Sunday against FUS Rabat.

In January, tensions between Bujumbura and Kigali reached a boiling point when Burundi closed the border between the two central-eastern African countries, sparking outrage from Rwanda.

Before this, Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye publicly accused Paul Kagame’s government of supporting the RED-Tabara rebel militia, further escalating the already strained relations between the neighbouring nations.

The BAL made a Sunday morning announcement, just hours before the scheduled game, stating that Dynamo and Rabat would not be competing in the Kalahari Conference fixture, the first of two to be played in Pretoria.

The BAL statement read: "Dynamo Basketball Club (Burundi) has forfeited its game against FUS Rabat Basketball (Morocco) on Sunday, March 10 at the SunBet Arena for refusing to comply with the league's rules governing jersey and uniform requirements, it was announced today by BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall."