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Two continental tournaments to prepare in one arena. At the Henri-Elendé gymnasium in Brazzaville, final works continue ahead of the Group C qualifiers of the West Division of the Road to BAL, scheduled for 24 to 26 October 2026, and the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA) Zone 4 qualifiers, set for 24 to 28 October.
With the president of the Congolese Basketball Federation (FECOKET), Fabrice Makaya Matève, away on professional business, first vice-president Dimi Yoka carried out an inspection visit to assess progress on the site.
On the court, technicians are fitting the hoops and marking the lines. In the changing rooms, workers are continuing the painting. The offices and the meeting room must also be fitted out to meet the requirements for hosting international competitions.
“The work should be finished on time,” Dimi Yoka told the press.
State support still awaited
Although preparations are moving forward, the question of funding remains. FECOKET is seeking the support of the Ministry of Sports to complete the remaining work. Its first vice-president spoke of financial difficulties and of debts already incurred to keep the project moving.
“We still have work to do and we are counting on the support of our supervising ministry to finish it. We have already taken on debts to move the project forward, because we want these competitions to be held in the best possible conditions. Several quotes have been submitted and we are waiting for a response from the Ministry of Sports. We want this event to be a success and to help strengthen the confidence of our FIBA partners,” he said.
Two tournaments, two qualification stages
In the men’s event, four clubs will compete for the two qualifying places for the West Division Elite 16, the next step on the road to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) 2027:
- ASB Onatra — Democratic Republic of the Congo;
- FAP — Cameroon;
- Espoir Basketball — Gabon;
- Avenir du Rail — Republic of the Congo.
In the WBLA women’s tournament, six teams will try to win one of the two places in the final phase:
- Overdose Up Station — Cameroon;
- CNSS and Hatari Basketball Club — Democratic Republic of the Congo;
- Anges Noirs Bantous and Interclub — Republic of the Congo;
- Charbo Squad — Gabon.
A key occasion for Congo
Hosting these two tournaments marks the Republic of the Congo’s return to the international basketball stage. In 2017, the country withdrew from hosting the men’s AfroBasket a few months before tip-off, citing economic constraints. This time it intends to host the competitions successfully and strengthen its partners’ confidence.
From 24 to 28 October, sports fans are expected at the Henri-Elendé gymnasium to back the Congolese representatives. Admission is set at 500 FCFA.
