Burundi's Dynamo BC out of BAL over sponsor protest

Dynamo BBC have been disqualified from the Basketball African league BAL Kalahari conference championships after forfeiting the second game against Petro De Luanda of Angola.

Dynamo BBC have been disqualified after failing to adhere to BAL’s rules and regulations governing jerseys and uniforms. This was confirmed by BAL president Amadou Gallo Fall in a statement shared to the public and media moments before the game between Dynamo BBC and Petro De Luanda was set to tip off.

With this, Dynamo have forfeited 2 games after forfeiting the game against FUS Rabat on Sunday, March 10, 2024.

The main reason for all this is the political tension between Rwanda and Burundi. According to BAL regulations, all teams participating in BAL have to wear uniforms with the sponsor's logo, which says, “visit Rwanda”.

Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye claimed the government of Rwanda, led by Paul Kagame, was backing the Red Tabara rebel group after an attack by the militia killed 20 people in December in Burundi. Paul Kagame watered down the allegations, even though the Burundian government labeled him, a bad neighbor.

In their Opening game, which they comfortably won, Dynamo BBC played under protest and covered the “Visit Rwanda” logo with black tape. This was done under the advice of the Burundian government, as confirmed by Dynamo guard, Bryton Hobb.

The move by Dynamo BBC did not auger well with the BAL organizers, the sponsor, and Dynamo were sanctioned. They, however, stood their ground and they ended up forfeiting the subsequent games, leading to a disqualification.

According to FIBA, (International Basketball Federation), rules, when a team forfeits two games in a row, in the same tournament, the team is disqualified. For that matter, BAL had no option but to disqualify Dynamo BBC from Bujumbura, Burundi.

“This is a very unfortunate situation for the players and fans, and we share the frustrations of everyone involved.”  Opined Amadou Gallo Fall.