Photo of theweek : basketball fans inconsolable after the disqualification of the Dynamo team from the Basketball Africa League

The Dynamo team arrived in Bujumbura on Thursday early in the afternoon.The basketball players of the Dynamo team encountered enormous difficulties. And that’s the least we can say. They have been eliminated from the Basketball Africa League “BAL” 2024 games currently taking place in South Africa. This is following the refusal of the Burundian government to let the Burundian team wear jerseys labeled “VisitRwanda”. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Following the conflicts between Burundi and Rwanda, the Burundian government, through national basketball officials, prevented Dynamo players from continuing to play at BAL2024 in South Africa.

However, it was for the first time to see a team represent the country at this level of an African basketball competition.

Dynamo won their first match hands down.

The Burundian players played while hiding the “VisitRwanda” logo, the official sponsor of the tournament.

An attitude which cost them two withdrawals, synonymous with elimination in this competition.

The decision of the president of the Burundi Basketball Federation (FEBABU) is controversial

In his letter, he prohibited players from wearing jerseys with a logo calling for visiting Rwanda, a country in conflict with Burundi.

This decision did not please a good number of Burundians who believe that Burundian authorities targeted their interests much more than those of these young Burundians who had the hope of positively changing the image of the country.

“It’s a bit revolting to see these young people return without having accomplished their mission. Many of them hoped to win the competition,” says a young teenager who is a basketball fan.

Another wonders if the team officials were unaware of what was to happen once they arrived in South Africa.

“In this case, there would have been a failure on the part of the managers who had to ensure at all costs that everything was clear in the contracts,” he adds.

In the commercial capital Bujumbura, even those who are not fans of basketball say they are totally disappointed by the measure taken by the Burundian government. For them, these young people should be encouraged because they have done their best to take the image of the country far.

The sanctions provided for are the payment of a fine of up to 500,000 US dollars and five years without participating in international competitions.

Photo : A quick discussion for Dynamo – FIBA