Raoul Toupane, the National Technical Director (DTN) of Senegal, says the state of Basketball in the country is far from being worrying as some perceive it. This assertion was published by the Sud Quotidien website. According to him, the men's and women's national teams are currently in a “reconstruction” phase with the aim of regaining their dominant place on the continent.
In an interview with the Senegalese Press Agency (APS) and relayed by Sud Quotidien, Toupane emphasizes that Senegalese basketball “is not as moribund” as some voices suggest. Although improvements are needed, he believes the sport is “on the right track”, especially on the eve of the second edition of World Basketball Day.
Toupane highlights the remarkable participation of Senegalese players in the Women Basketball League Africa (WBLA), recently concluded in Dakar. “Of the 11 teams present, 9 had players from the Senegalese championship,” he says, reinforcing the idea that Senegal is well engaged on the African level.
Another point of pride was the performance of Ndioma Kane, playing for Al Ahly, who was named the best player in the WBLA. The DTN also expresses the wish to see more Senegalese clubs take part in continental competitions.
Regarding the national teams, Toupane says he is “satisfied” with the progress made in 2024. He insists on the transitional nature of this period of “reconstruction” for the men’s and women’s teams. Despite a difficult patch in recent years, Senegal, once one of the titans of African basketball, hopes to regain its lost glory. Remember that the men's team has not won the Afrobasket since 1997, and the Lionesses' last title dates from 2015.
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