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The Basketball Africa League (BAL) (https:\/\/BAL.NBA.com\/<\/a>) and Wave, Africa\u2019s fastest-growing mobile money platform, have joined forces to elevate the fan experience and make basketball more accessible in Senegal and C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire.\u00a0 The collaboration will introduce a series of engaging initiatives designed to bring communities closer to the game in conjunction with the 2025 BAL season.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Leading up to the BAL\u2019s Sahara Conference group phase that will take place from Saturday, April 26 \u2013 Sunday, May 4, at the Dakar Arena in Senegal, the BAL and Wave will host a 5-on-5 streetball basketball tournament in Dakar for eight teams of male players.\u00a0 The tournament will tip off on Saturday, March 22 and culminate with a championship game in early May.\u00a0 The eight teams will be comprised of four teams selected by the Senegalese Basketball Federation and four open spots.\u00a0 Registration for the open spots is open now here (https:\/\/apo-opa.co\/4hrTNru<\/a>), after which a selection committee will review the applications and determine the four participating teams.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n In addition to promoting local competition, Wave is dedicated to enhancing the BAL experience by making it more accessible and rewarding for fans.\u00a0 Wave users will have the opportunity to earn exclusive rewards, gifts, and other exciting perks through the Wave App rewards program, allowing more people to engage with the excitement of the BAL.\u00a0 Wave users can take advantage of exclusive offers on tickets for the BAL games in Dakar, which are available for purchase now at BAL.NBA.com<\/a> and Bal-teewtickets.com<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The marketing partnership extends beyond Senegal and will also bring impactful initiatives to C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire.\u00a0 In September 2025, Wave and the BAL will unveil a newly refurbished basketball court in Abidjan, offering young athletes a modern and inspiring space to develop their skills.\u00a0 In addition to the unveiling, the BAL and Wave will organize a training camp at the court for local youth.\u00a0 Additionally, one lucky Wave user from C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire will win an all-expenses-paid trip to South Africa to attend the 2025 BAL Finals in Pretoria on June 14, where \u200b\u200bthey will have the opportunity to experience the culmination of the BAL season.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cOur collaboration with Wave is part of our commitment to make the BAL and basketball more accessible across the continent,\u201d said BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall.\u00a0 \u201cWe look forward to working together to provide more opportunities for youth, players and fans in Senegal and C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire to engage with the game and our league.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Echoing this sentiment, Wave Senegal General Director El Hadji Malick Gu\u00e8ye highlighted the synergy between basketball and financial inclusion, stating, \u201cThis marketing partnership with the BAL aligns perfectly with Wave\u2019s ambition to expand access to essential services, both in finance and culture.\u00a0 As we revolutionized digital payments in the transport sector, we believe that supporting basketball can be a powerful driver of change.\u00a0 By making the BAL more accessible and launching community-driven initiatives, we reinforce our commitment to a cashless, inclusive, and connected Africa.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Katier Bamba, Wave C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire General Director, emphasized the collaboration\u2019s local significance: \u201cBasketball is a growing passion in C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, and we are thrilled to work with the BAL to provide opportunities that will leave a lasting impact on the community.\u00a0 The court refurbishment in Abidjan will not only give young athletes a professional-grade space to develop their skills but also serve as a hub for local engagement and youth empowerment.\u00a0 Our commitment to financial inclusion extends beyond digital payments; it\u2019s about creating experiences and opportunities that uplift entire communities.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n The Sahara Conference group phase will feature home team ASC Ville de Dakar (Senegal), defending BAL champion Petro de Luanda (Angola), first-time BAL participant Kriol Star (Cape Verde) and 2022 BAL champion US Monastir (Tunisia).\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n