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Burundian basketball team Dynamo BC expelled from 2024 BAL season following second forfeiture

Burundian basketball team forfeits game over Rwanda logo tension at the Basketball Africa League Season 4. (Photo: X/theBAL)

By Rama Mohammed | Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Dynamo Basketball Club's tumultuous journey in the 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL) has come to an abrupt end with their expulsion from the tournament following a second forfeiture

Dynamo Basketball Club's tumultuous journey in the 2024 Basketball Africa League (BAL) has reached a definitive conclusion with their expulsion from the tournament.

The decision comes in the wake of Dynamo BC's second forfeiture, effectively ending their participation in the highly anticipated season. Amadou Gallo Fall, President of the BAL, confirmed the expulsion, citing Dynamo BC's repeated failure to adhere to league regulations regarding jerseys and uniforms.

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“Dynamo Basketball Club (Burundi) has further refused to comply with the Basketball Africa League’s rules and requirements governing jerseys and uniforms, thereby forfeiting today’s game against Petro de Luanda (Angola) and its participation in the 2024 BAL season. Under FIBA rules, two forfeitures in the same tournament trigger the club’s automatic withdrawal. This is a very unfortunate situation for the players and fans, and we share the frustrations of everyone involved. All remaining Kalahari Conference games will be played as scheduled, and we look forward to engaging fans in Pretoria through expanded fan and community events.” The president said in a statement sent to newsrooms.

The team's initial act of covering the prominent "Visit Rwanda" logo on their uniforms with black tape during their opening game against Cape Town Tigers set off a chain reaction of controversy and debate. However, it was their subsequent refusal to comply with league rules that ultimately sealed their fate.

Despite efforts to mediate the situation, including discussions between team officials and tournament organizers, Dynamo BC's decision to forfeit their second game against Petro de Luanda (Angola) marked the final straw.

Under FIBA rules, two forfeitures in the same tournament automatically trigger a team's expulsion. The expulsion of Dynamo BC comes at a time of heightened tensions between Burundi and Rwanda, with political disputes casting a shadow over regional relations.