For season 5 of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), Dakar will host the Sahara Conference from April 26 to May 4. To kick things off, a basketball tournament will be held at UCAD next Saturday. The competition will bring together eight teams of young players under the age of 26.

The announcement was made by BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall yesterday, on the sidelines of a partnership ceremony with a money transfer operator.

"On Saturday, March 22, a 5-5 basketball tournament will kick off with eight men's teams under 26. Four will be chosen by the FSBB, and the others will be open to talented young people who want to register through our platforms. It will be a real basketball celebration on campus, a show and beautiful images to celebrate," said the BAL boss.

"The final of this tournament will be played during the Sahara Conference, which Dakar hosts. Four of the best African teams will meet at this Sahara Conference, after the Kalahari Conference (April 5-13). Petro Luanda, the reigning champion, is playing here, in addition to the Kreol Stars (Cape Verde), who will be participating for the first time, and US Monastir, who have always played in Dakar. We expect very good competitions," he added.