Basketball Africa League, Qatar Foundation ink multiyear social impact collaboration

The Basketball Africa League (BAL) and Qatar Foundation, a not-for-profit organization, recently announced a multiyear collaboration that makes Qatar Foundation the first official Ccommunity partner of BAL.

Through the collaboration, which is being facilitated by Qatar Sports Investments, Qatar Foundation is supporting BAL’s social impact programming and efforts to make basketball more accessible across the continent.

The partneeship also included court renovations as part of NBA Africa’s broader commitment to build 1,000 courts across the continent, and BAL4HER – the league’s platform for advancing gender equality in the African sports ecosystem.

As part of the collaboration, Qatar Foundation will also serve as presenting partner of the BAL’s Ubuntu Trophy, which is awarded annually to a BAL player who has made an impact on the local community during the BAL season.

Qatar Foundation’s logo will also be displayed on the back of all BAL game uniforms. “We see sport as one of the most powerful tools for positive change,” Sheikha Hind bint Hamad Al Thani, vice chairperson, Qatar Foundation, said.

According to her, the Foundation believe that the true strength of a nation lies in the wellbeing and potential of its people.

“Our vision is to harness this power of sport for good, ensuring that it is accessible, inclusive, and designed to meet the needs of all,”  Al Thani added.

She disclosed that Qatar Foundation is committed to creating environments where participation is safe, welcoming and inspiring. An environment where the values of teamwork, discipline and leadership are nurtured.”

Amadou Gallo Fall, president, BAL, said the collaboration will enhance its ongoing social impact programming that uses the power of basketball to positively impact lives across the continent.

“Qatar Foundation shares our commitment to giving back to the youth, fans and communities that support the BAL year-round,” Gallo Fall.

He disclosed that beginning this season, Qatar Foundation is supporting BAL4HER Power Hours in each BAL host city, which connects young women pursuing careers in the sports industry through structured conversations, creating a platform for visibility, relationship-building and professional advancement within the African sports ecosystem.

The collaboration builds on Qatar Foundation’s broader work in harnessing sport for social development alongside Qatar Sports Investments – reinforcing a shared commitment to using sport as a platform for opportunity, inclusion and long-term community impact.

The 2026 BAL season has featured 12 of the top club teams from 12 African countries playing a total of 42 games across the Kalahari Conference group phase from March 27 – April 5 at SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa; the Sahara Conference group phase from April 24 – May 3 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, Morocco; and the Playoffs and Finals from May 22 – 31 at BK Arena in Kigali, Rwanda.

Eight teams have qualified for the 2026 BAL Playoffs: Petro de Luanda (Angola), Al Ahly (Egypt), the RSSB Tigers (Rwanda), Club Africain (Tunisia), Al Ahly Ly (Libya), FUS Rabat (Morocco), ASC Ville de Dakar (Senegal) and Dar City (Tanzania).

In the opening game on Friday, May 22, Al Ahly will take on ASC Ville de Dakar at 4 p.m. CAT, followed by the RSSB Tigers facing FUS Rabat at 7 p.m. CAT.

Tickets for playoffs and finals are on sale at BAL.NBA.com/Ticket.  Fans who purchase tickets will also have free access to the BAL Fan Zone at BK Arena.