NEW YORK, United States, Mar 4 – The launch of the
inaugural Basketball Africa League has been postponed due to fears over the
new-coronavirus outbreak, the NBA said in a statement on Tuesday.

The NBA-backed 12-team league had been due to tip off on
March 13 in Dakar, Senegal but has now been put on hold due to health concerns.

The announcement came a day after Senegal confirmed its
first case of COVID-19, only the second infection in sub-Saharan Africa.

Basketball Africa League President Amadou Gallo Fall
confirmed the postponement in a statement released by the NBA.

“Following the recommendation of the Senegalese
government regarding the escalating health concerns related to the coronavirus,
the BAL’s inaugural season will be postponed,” Fall said.

“I am disappointed we are not able to tip off this
historic league as scheduled but look forward to the highly-anticipated launch
of the BAL at a later date.”

Twelve club teams from across Africa had been due to
participate in the league, which is backed by the International Basketball
Federation (FIBA) and the NBA.

It is the first time the NBA has helped organize a league
outside North America.

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