The Palais des Sports de Mahamasina in Antananarivo is set to host the final phase of the Madagascar Basketball 5X5 N1A National Championship for senior men’s and women’s categories from September 24 to October 4, 2026. Defending champions COSPN in the men’s division and GNBC in the women’s division prepare to defend their titles against a competitive field that advanced through regional preliminary tournaments in Antsirabe and Mahajanga.
Palais des Sports Readies for National Showdown
Antsirabe Kicks Off the Preliminary Road
The road to the capital city’s main arena began earlier in the year across two distinct regional phases. Gymnase Vatofotsy in Antsirabe hosted the Group A fixtures from April 11 to 19, where JEA Vakinankaratra claimed the women’s tournament win and GNBC Analamanga topped the men’s bracket. Individual performances stood out during the opening leg, with Tojotiana, also known as Fafah, of JEA and Olivier of GNBC earning Most Valuable Player honors. Basilisy Razafimahatratra of Ankaratra Vakinankaratra led all female scorers with 91 points, while Jino Tsialefitra of MBC Atsinanana paced the men’s scorers with 169 points.
Mahajanga Battles Shape Group B Standings
Action then shifted north to the Complexe sportif d’Ampisikina in Mahajanga, which staged the Group B matches from April 25 to May 3. GNBC demonstrated its strength on the women’s side, while COSPN secured the top spot in the men’s competition. Tokin’Iaina Sambatrarimiora claimed the women’s MVP and top scorer titles with 111 points, and Marco Rakotovao earned the men’s MVP award. Pierros Judy Bezara Razanavah of RBC Boeny emerged as the leading scorer in the group with 105 points.
Champions Brace for Defending Title Bids
With the preliminary rounds concluded, attention turns squarely to Antananarivo and the ultimate objective shared by every participating club: unseating the reigning champions. Eli Michael Rakotonindrina, head coach of the GNBC women’s team, outlined the challenges ahead of the tournament’s opening tip-off. “This will be a very difficult battle because each team is very determined to bar the road to the defending champion,” Rakotonindrina stated regarding the upcoming fixtures. “We will strive to live up to our status as defending champions.”
Knockout Rounds Loom in Antananarivo
Standings implications and final seedings from the Antsirabe and Mahajanga groups will dictate the early matchups as challengers attempt to break the stronghold of the established powerhouse programs.
