Obama to play role in new African basketball league supported by FIBA ​​and NBA

Former President Barack Obama is supporting one of his favorite hobbies by helping the NBA and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) launch a new league in Africa to grow the sport on the continent.

"I've always loved basketball because it's about building a team that exceeds all of its elements, and I'm happy to see this expansion in Africa because, for an emerging continent, it can be much more than what happens on the ground. " Obama tweeted Saturday.

The NBA and FIBA ​​announced Saturday the launch of a new African Basketball League (BAL). NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Obama had expressed interest in getting involved and playing a direct role in the league, according to The Associated Press. The details of his involvement remain to be determined.

In one video NBA presenting the achievements of African basketball players and the NBA's efforts in the region, Mr. Obama delivers a speech to young athletes.

"I hope you will know through sport that if you make an effort, you will be rewarded.I hope you learn through sport what it means to play as a team and that even if you are the best player, your job is not just to show your job is to improve your teammates, "said Obama, who saw a 3-pointers run with ease.

The league will have 12 teams from all over the continent. The games are scheduled to start in January 2020. This is the first collaboration of the NBA to manage a league outside of North America. FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis said in a statement that the partnership was "a natural extension of what we have accomplished through the joint initiative of Basketball without Borders (BWB)", which helps to find , develop and nurture talented young players around the world, including: in Africa. The Basketball Africa League will allow us to build on the solid foundation laid by FIBA ​​Africa and revive the continent's club competition to provide the ultimate platform for the best clubs and players. "

"The African Basketball League is an important next step in our ongoing development of basketball in Africa," Silver said. "Combined with our other programs on the continent, we are committed to using basketball as an economic driver to create new opportunities in sports, media and technology in Africa."

Mr. Obama, a staunch supporter of the sport, has a basketball court on the White House grounds and has been regularly seen playing games with members of his office.