<\/p>\n
The Basketball Africa League (BAL) (BAL.NBA.com<\/a>) and New Fortress Energy Inc.\u00a0(NASDAQ: NFE) \u2013 a global energy infrastructure company founded to help accelerate the world\u2019s transition to clean energy \u2013 today announced that Tonny Drileba, who played for the City Oilers (Uganda) during the 2023 BAL Season, has been awarded the 2023 BAL Ubuntu Trophy in recognition of his ongoing efforts to use the game of basketball to positively impact the lives of youth in his native Uganda. \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Throughout the year, Drileba regularly hosted basketball clinics and life-skills seminars for boys and girls from underserved communities in Kampala. \u00a0As an assistant coach for Angels Basketball Club \u2013 a professional women\u2019s team that competes in the Ugandan Basketball League \u2013 he participated in the club\u2019s community outreach projects across the country, including youth clinics and life-skills seminars at Nakivale Refugee Camp in Western Uganda.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The BAL Ubuntu Trophy is awarded annually to an individual or organization that has made an impact on the local community during the BAL season. In recognition of Drileba\u2019s efforts, the BAL and NFE \u2013 presenting partner of the Ubuntu Trophy \u2013 will donate $5,000 to a charitable organization of his choice in Uganda.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cI am extremely humbled to have won this award, which in all hope will shine more light on the social issues I have sought to tackle in my community,\u201d said Drileba. \u00a0\u201cGoing forward, I am excited to continue working with the youth, empowering them through basketball and bringing positive change to the disadvantaged communities.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cThe BAL Ubuntu Trophy recognizes outstanding leadership and consistent acts of service that uplift people and communities,\u201d said BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall.\u00a0 \u201cTonny\u2019s efforts are inspiring to the entire BAL family and a testament to the transformative power of basketball and its ability to be a force for good beyond the court.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Previous BAL Ubuntu Trophy winners include Hichem Benayad-Cherif (Algeria\u2019s Groupement Sportif des P\u00e9troliers; 2021) and Jean-Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza (Rwanda Energy Group Basketball Club; 2022).\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n During the 2023 BAL Season, Drileba averaged 5.6 points in three games against the Cape Town Tigers (South Africa), Ferrovi\u00e0rio da Beira (Mozambique) and Petro de Luanda (Angola).\u00a0 He also competed at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup African Qualifiers and the 2021 FIBA AfroBasket tournament as a member of the Uganda Men\u2019s National Team.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The BAL\u2019s expanded fourth season will tip off on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa.\u00a0 The 2024 BAL season will feature the top 12 club teams from 12 African countries playing a record 48 games in Pretoria; Cairo, Egypt; Dakar, Senegal; and Kigali, Rwanda over four months, marking the first BAL games in South Africa and the first time the league will play games in four different countries.\u00a0 Fans can register their interest in tickets to games in all four markets at BAL.NBA.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The 12 BAL teams, conferences, game schedule and additional information about the 2024 BAL season will be announced in the coming months.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Tonny Drileba Community Engagement video (https:\/\/apo-opa.co\/3SBCQkZ<\/a><\/strong>)<\/strong> (Credit: Basketball Africa League)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n