Government of Benin turns basketball professional

Basketball in Benin has received a massive boost with the announcement from the West African nation’s government that the sporting code will be turning professional.

Benin President Patrice Talon has passed a law which requires clubs to run as companies with immediate effect, ahead of the 2020/2021 season.

National team and Elan Sportif forward, Romaric Quenum told fiba.basketball: “Last season, Elan was leading in the league before the coronavirus brought things to a halt.

“For the new season which we’re looking forward to, a lot will depend on sponsorship and the moment we get it right, players will have contracts that guarantee them better pay than what they used to earn. We look forward to its smooth take off in the new season.”

Aspac captain Hounnou Brice Bleck said: “I thank the government of President Talon for this initiative. I find his vision good and approve it 1000 per cent.

“This initiative will make sport professional here, and players will be able to live fully from their talent and their efforts.

“This will allow our national teams to have quality professional players. It will also allow foreigners to come and play in Benin and allow local players to improve their levels of play. This initiative is great for Beninese basketball.”

Assistant national team Coach Basil Azan said: “To do this, he [Talon] will deduct from the taxes of all the companies that will have sports associations, all sports combined, the money they will spend each year for their teams in which, the players and the technical staff will be paid as professional players.”

In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo