After the opening of the Basketball sports season, on April 22, 2022 at the Palais des Sports Salamtou Maïga, we extended our microphone to Diya Cissé, Deputy Secretary General of the Malian Basketball Federation. Moved, he humbly commented on the slight delay in the start of the championship, the objective of the Federation this season, the youth training policy and the participation of national teams in continental and world games. He invited each other to the sacred union around young people to enable them to achieve their goals.
Le Républicain: Hello, can you introduce yourself to our readers?
Diya Cissé: My name is Diya Cissé, Deputy Secretary General of the Malian Basketball Federation. The 2021-22 basketball sports season opened on Friday, April 22, 2022.
Wasn’t she a little late?
We can say that we are a little late in the launch. Otherwise, before, it finds that it is already imported. But the delay is not due to the Malian Basketball Federation. Considering the cost of the championship, it is through the sponsors that we organize our competitions including the championship. And our official sponsor is Orange Mali. This year, Orange Mali had problems with consumers. Through this, we also fell behind. But the delay can be made up if we continue the way we did the programming. Please God, we are going to play all the matches observed until the end.
How do you think this season will go?
It will take place like the previous ones. Although we’re late, we’re not going to make any changes in it. The championship, the Mali cup, the interleague, will all be played, please God.
Under what sign do you place this season from the ball to the basket 2021-2022?
Well, this season is different from many seasons, given the current context of the country itself. When you see the image of sport today with us, it gives the very image of the country. In this case, what we can ask people is to come and join us so that we can do the whole program according to the standards. Because basketball makes people happy. If we manage to proceed with the championship as agreed, it will spend a lot of time with people. Because coming to the field to see the matches makes you forget a lot of things. As a result, the Federation alone cannot organize. She’s there as a commissionaire. It is together that we can meet the challenge. This is what I ask everyone to come and accompany us for the smooth running of the championship and other competitions.
What are the objectives set by the Federation this year?
Our goals remain the same. It is always to raise the level of Malian basketball. Our basket is at the top in Africa, even in the world, thanks to the national championship. If the championship has the level, it allows us to have young people who will appoint us on the continental level and outside the same contains. It is also a question of making every effort to maintain the training of young people in order to enable them to achieve their objectives.
What about, my Deputy Secretary General, the training of young people at the base?
Our basic training policy continues wonderfully. We started for them. We did not wait for the start of the championship to start basic training. Our national coaches have signed up for training with the teams without the contract having left at the level of the Ministry of Sports.
On the continental, even global level, will Malian basketball be present this year?
Yes, the Malian basket will be present on the African and global level this year. In July, we have to go out for the U17 boys. And the same month of July, we have to go out for the U17 girls too. Both are World Cups. For the boys it’s in Spain, and for the girls it’s in Hungary. We started preparations at their levels a long time ago. Even those who play away, we have sent invitations so that we can pick them up early so that they can participate in the final stages.
Could these participations be made to the extent desired without financial support worthy of the name?
For support, it is the Ministry of Sports which is very much in demand for the national teams. Because it is he who takes care of the ticket offices, the hotel. Sponsors are also solicited. For example Orange Mali accompanies us for international releases. As a result, it is on the two partners that we can count a lot to support us and to allow us to have stages as we approach the said competitions, for example going two weeks in advance to do stages blocked with children whose talents we do not doubt. And if we have everything we wanted, I think we can go very far like in previous competitions.
Are there any substantial rewards for reigning champions (women and men) this year?
Yes, yes, every year we try to improve the awards. As I said, Orange, the official sponsor, gives its share for the awards, and we ourselves add our share to complete each year. This year, we didn’t set the rate first, but like every year, I promise you that the necessary will be done to raise the levels of champion envelopes. Now, as for the trophies that come from outside, although the State gives bonuses, Orange also gives its share for each special bonus won.
What is in the contract. Your final word?
What I can add is that the basketball world is not easy at all. On one enough trouble. But the problem is ourselves. I think we have to leave the personal problems aside to face the sport, especially the basket which can give a lot of other things to Mali as it has already done. What I have as a call is to invite everyone to come and fight together for this sport, just for children. Because when you see the basket in Africa, Mali has more talented children who have the chance to monetize their talents elsewhere through our championship. Even this year, the little one who has just gone to the NBA comes from this championship. She is a pure Malian product, she started here. We have many children like Sika in Spain, the United States, Canada. We have to encourage the children because most of them come from very poor families. It is through basketball that they can achieve their goals. By Hadama B. FOFANA Children should be encouraged because most of them come from very poor families. It is through basketball that they can achieve their goals. By Hadama B. FOFANA Children should be encouraged because most of them come from very poor families. It is through basketball that they can achieve their goals.
By Hadama B. FOFANA
