The City of Abidjan came alive last Friday when the African Basketball League (ABL) teams arrived for the Abidjan Basketball Challenge at Palais des sports de Treichville, Abidjan. The arena was packed full with fans ready to see the new face of basketball a moment that makes you feel you are watching NBA games. Adamu Musa, CEO and co-owner of Abidjan Ramblers Basketball Team in an interview with Anthony Nlebem, sports correspondent, BusinessDay, speaks of his passion for Basketball and how ABL can grow the economy of Africa.
What can you say about the Abidjan Ramblers hosting other ABL teams in Abidjan?
First, it’s an honour for the Ramblers to host the rest of ABL teams in Cote D’ Ivoire, especially in Abidjan, that has been our will to host every ABL games in Abidjan. Although it was a bit challenging doing this, but we are happy that we did it.
Do Ramblers intend hosting more of ABL games in the near future?
We hope to host every game if possible; you can see in Abidjan today, this is a basketball that has never been seen before on the African continent. After the Afro Basketball Championship that took place here in 2013, there has never been a crowd like this in this gym. The concept of ABL has never been seen in Cote D’ Ivoire before, so we are proud of doing it and wish to do it much more often.
What can you say about the experience here in Abidjan?
It’s very exciting and motivating, we feel very proud and ready to do more. Although we are hosting for the first time, but we hope to do more and get better each time we organise these games.
As a passionate basketball player with resilient and strength, you picked up an injury at the ABL All Star Veteran Games in Nigeria
Talking about passion, you are right, throughout my career I did not get injured until now.
It was a challenge, but I must thank ABL for taking care of my medical bills, that tells you the value of the organization. At ABL games, you can play; have fun with no risks because you are covered.
Do you hope to get better and continue playing basketball?
Am getting better and I will be on my feet vey soon to continue playing basketball; basketball is my passion, life and it’s what I love to do, no matter what, we will continue to give to basketball.
ABL is much more than basketball, ABL is about giving back to people, Africa, made in Africa for Africans.
We want to make Africa proud and can’t give up.
Message for ABL?
For ABL, good things come, but challenges come on the way; no matter the challenges, you must always strive to get over it and together we shall make Africa proud.
ABL has provided employment to over 300 people across Africa, culture exchange, financial exchange, basketball experience and tourism. I say thumbs for ABL and they should keep working hard.
What are your plans for the Abidjan Rambles?
We hope to have our own training facilities; make basketball more professional in Ivory Coast and Africa, and make it bigger and bigger and also to be one of the best sports franchise in the continent.
Anthony Nlebem
