Afrobasket ’07: Menjour thumb-up Angola

The FIBA Africa bigwig says, though this is the first time the championship is played by 16-nations, there is no doubt that the host has done perfectly well in terms of organisation among others.

Menjour advised other would-be host of the continent’s flagship competition to borrow a leaf from Angola who provided five (Luanda, Benguela, Lubango, Huambo and Cabinda) venues for the championship which he considered a model in the history of the competition in Africa.

He, however, urged the basketball federations of Nigeria, Senegal and Mali whom he consider as some of the continent’s power-house who were bundled out of the championship at the group and quarter-finals stage to do more in order to raise the level of competitiveness in future championship.

He also agreed that Angola can host the FIBA World Championship if it met all requirement of the world governing body as decision for which country host the rest of the world does not rest with FIBA Africa who will definitely throw its weight behind such bid.

“It is the first time we are having 16 countries in the championship with five cities as venues, to me it is a good development for the game in Africa.

“I hope other countries will take a cue from what Angola did by developing more facilities instead of having to play all the 48 matches in one venue and city, Angola has succeeded in taking basketball to its interior provinces/cities and we can’t wait to witness the resultant effect of that.

“The Championship threw up lots of surprises where some big teams like Nigeria, Senegal and Mali did not finish among the top-four.

“It is a challenge to these countries federation to be alive to their responsibilities by preparing their team very well ahead major championship such as the Afrobasket, because the so called minors have braced up and are ready to give the stronger nations some surprises.

“Though the development is not that good for Africa basketball because it means Angola have little or no opposition to contend with unlike in the past where it will play against countries like Senegal or Nigeria in either the semi-finals or finals.

“Yes, I think Angola can host the World Championship and will receive full backing of FIBA Africa, but will have to work extra hard to met the conditions that the world body will set for would-be host of such big tournament as the world championship.