TIABA 2019 Set to Light Up Lomé with Former African Basketball Stars
The International Tournament of Former African Basketball Players (TIABA 2019) will take place from June 8 to 9 in Lomé, organizers announced during a press conference on Tuesday in the Togolese capital.
Now in its sixth edition since its inception in 2014, the tournament will feature six countries this year: Benin, Ivory Coast, Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo. The event aims not only to showcase basketball talent but also to promote the values of sport among young people, encouraging them to apply these principles in their professional lives.
Over the course of two days, thirteen teams—seven women’s and six men’s—will compete in 21 matches at the Lomé Omnisport Stadium. The teams are divided into two groups, with Togo entering the tournament as the reigning women’s champion and top seed in its group. Congo, last year’s runner-up, will lead the other group. In the men’s competition, Togo is again the top seed, while Nigeria is expected to anchor the second group due to their strong continental performances.
The tournament will be played in two phases: a group stage with knockout rounds, followed by a final ranking stage. In the women’s competition, the fourth-placed team in a group of four will automatically finish seventh. The top two teams from each group will compete for the championship, the second-placed teams for the silver medal, and the third-placed teams for third place.
The theme for TIABA 2019 is “Together, let’s save our planet”, reflecting the organizers’ commitment to environmental awareness. Tony d’Almeida, president of the organizing committee, emphasized the importance of using the tournament as a platform to educate participants and spectators on protecting the planet for future generations.
“The goal is to ensure that we do not destroy our planet and leave future generations a healthy environment in which they can grow and develop peacefully,” said d’Almeida.
The opening ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 8, in the early afternoon, officially kicking off two days of high-level basketball, camaraderie, and social awareness.
