Dynamo BBC’s Exit from 2024 Basketball Africa League Over “Visit Rwanda” Logo Dispute
In March 2024, Burundian basketball club Dynamo BBC made headlines when they were expelled from the Basketball Africa League (BAL) after refusing to display the “Visit Rwanda” logo on their jerseys. The incident, rooted in political tensions between Burundi and Rwanda, unfolded during the Kalahari Conference in Pretoria, South Africa.Dynamo, the first Burundian team to compete in the BAL, started strong with an 86-73 victory over South Africa’s Cape Town Tigers on March 9.
However, the team taped over the “Visit Rwanda” logo on their jerseys, a move directed by the Burundian government amid strained relations with Rwanda. Burundi had closed its borders with Rwanda in January, accusing President Paul Kagame’s government of supporting the RED-Tabara rebel group, a claim Rwanda denies.
The BAL, sponsored by the Rwanda Development Board since 2021, issued a fine after Dynamo’s initial game for violating uniform regulations. When Dynamo persisted, refusing to display the logo in subsequent matches against Morocco’s FUS Rabat and Angola’s Petro de Luanda, they forfeited both games. Per FIBA rules, two forfeitures in a single tournament triggered automatic withdrawal, ending Dynamo’s BAL participation.
BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall called the situation “unfortunate,” emphasizing the league’s strict uniform requirements. Dynamo’s American guard Bryton Hobbs expressed frustration on social media, noting the team was aware of the sponsorship obligations but acted under government orders.
Reports also suggest Rwanda’s Development Board pressured BAL organizers to enforce the logo’s visibility, with Dynamo facing a $50,000 fine for the initial violation and a potential $500,000 penalty, alongside a possible five-year ban from African and global basketball events if unpaid.
The incident highlights how political tensions can spill into sports, overshadowing Dynamo’s historic BAL debut and sparking discussions about diplomacy and sponsorship in African basketball.
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