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Basketball Africa League Team To Showcase Skills At Quai 54 Tournament
The electrifying Quai 54 tournament which is featuring the Basketball Africa League (BAL) brings its talented team to Paris, France.
It will witness high-level basketball, thrilling dunk contests, and vibrant entertainment with renowned DJs and special performances by Mokobé.
Sport lovers should prepare to be amazed as the highly anticipated Quai 54 tournament gears up for its 20th-anniversary celebration this summer at the prestigious Roland-Garros in Paris, France.
As the ultimate street basketball and urban culture event, Quai 54 promises two days of exhilarating basketball action, entertainment, and a showcase of talent from around the globe. In an exciting development, the esteemed Basketball Africa League (BAL) will be participating in this year’s tournament, presenting a team of skilled players from the league. This collaboration brings a new level of competition and excitement to the Quai 54 stage.
BAL Roster For Quai 54
The BAL team, representing various nations, will exhibit their remarkable skills on the Quai 54 court. Among the talented players who will grace the tournament are:
Childe Dundao (Petro de Luanda; Angola)
Gerson Goncalves (Petro de Luanda; Angola)
Ater Majok (Petro de Luanda; Angola)
Chris Crawford (AS Douanes; Angola)
Ehab Amin (Al Ahly; Egypt)
Falando Jones (City Oilers, Uganda)
Dane Miller Jr. (SLAC; Guinea)
Adonis Filer (REG; Rwanda).
Highlights of this year’s Tournament
The Quai 54 tournament will feature 16 teams from 10 countries, including professional and amateur players. Brace yourself for intense knockout matches, culminating in an epic final on Sunday evening at 8pm. Both men’s and women’s categories will be fiercely contested, promising an unforgettable display of skill, strategy, and determination.
Dunk Contest Extravaganza
Prepare to be captivated by the incredible athleticism and gravity-defying dunks showcased in the Dunk Contest. This thrilling event will gather four renowned high-flying dunkers from around the world. Tyler Currie (USA), Piotr Grabowski (Poland), Chris Staples (USA), and New Williams (USA) will compete on Saturday evening, leaving spectators in awe of their jaw-dropping aerial artistry.
Unmatched Entertainment
The Quai 54 experience extends beyond the basketball court, offering a vibrant atmosphere packed with world-class entertainment. Between games, spectators will groove to the infectious beats of ten talented DJs, including renowned artists such as Lord Issa, Just Dizle, DJ Iso, DJ Pee, DJ Nasty Nas, DJ Ou-Mar, and DJ Jacks. Prepare to be immersed in a sonic journey that perfectly complements the on-court action, creating an unforgettable fusion of sports and music.
Electrifying Performances
Mokobé, the exceptional artist known for his infectious energy, will electrify the event with his captivating performances. Alongside Mokobé, experienced basketball commentators Duke Tshomba, Jamil Rouissi, and Lucas Nicot will provide expert analysis and insightful commentary, ensuring an engaging and informative experience for spectators throughout the tournament.
You will witness the captivating synergy between basketball and urban culture at the Quai 54 tournament. With the inclusion of the talented Basketball Africa League team, the event promises to reach new heights, showcasing the diverse skills and competitive spirit of the players. From the thrilling on-court battles to the awe-inspiring dunks in the Dunk Contest and the pulsating beats of the DJ performances, Quai 54 is set to deliver an unforgettable experience for basketball fans and enthusiasts alike.
Make sure to mark your calendars for July 1-2, as the Roland-Garros in Paris, France, transforms into a hub of excitement and sporting excellence. As the tournament enters its 20th year, Quai 54 has solidified its position as the premier destination for street basketball enthusiasts worldwide.
This year’s edition brings together not only the best teams from across the globe but also showcases the growing influence of the Basketball Africa League. With players hailing from Angola, Egypt, Uganda, Guinea, Rwanda, and more, the BAL team is poised to make their mark on the international stage. Their participation in Quai 54 adds a dynamic dimension to the competition and highlights the remarkable talent emerging from the African basketball scene.
As the games unfold, spectators will be treated to an array of thrilling matchups and intense battles. Witness the clash of 16 teams, each representing their respective countries with pride and determination. From seasoned professionals to rising stars, these players will leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of glory. Brace yourself for heart-stopping moments, skillful displays of technique, and buzzer-beating shots that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Beyond the game itself, Quai 54 presents an unparalleled entertainment experience. The Dunk Contest is a highlight that should not be missed. The aerial acrobatics and jaw-dropping slams from Tyler Currie, Piotr Grabowski, Chris Staples, and New Williams will leave spectators in awe and inspire basketball fans worldwide. Their gravity-defying maneuvers and creativity showcase the true artistry of the sport.
To complement the basketball action, a lineup of talented DJs will take center stage, infusing the atmosphere with infectious rhythms and keeping the energy high throughout the event. From hip-hop to electronic beats, each DJ will bring their unique style, ensuring a dynamic soundscape that resonates with the vibrant spirit of the tournament. Soak in the music, groove to the rhythm, and celebrate the seamless fusion of sports and urban culture.
And let’s not forget Mokobé, the charismatic performer who will electrify the event with his energetic stage presence and captivating performances. With Mokobé at the helm, the entertainment reaches new heights, creating an atmosphere of celebration and unity. Alongside Mokobé, the expert commentary team of Duke Tshomba, Jamil Rouissi, and Lucas Nicot will provide insights, analysis, and anecdotes, further enriching the spectator experience.
Quai 54 2023 promises to be a spectacle of basketball prowess, cultural vibrancy, and unforgettable moments. From the talented players representing the Basketball Africa League to the electrifying dunks, pulsating beats, and captivating performances, the tournament encapsulates the essence of street basketball and urban culture. As the teams take to the court at Roland-Garros, the world will bear witness to the unifying power of sport and the unwavering passion that drives athletes to excel.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammad Matawalle, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, arrived in Maiduguri, Borno State, on Friday for a high-level operational visit to Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK), the military’s counter-insurgency campaign in the North East.
The visit, according to a statement by Ahmad Dan Wudil, the minister’s media aide, aims to evaluate the troops’ operational readiness, boost morale among frontline personnel, and review strategies to restore lasting peace and stability in the region.
The statement underscored the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The trip comes amid growing concerns over resurgent attacks by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.
Earlier this month, Governor Babagana Zulum warned that the security situation was deteriorating, with insurgents dislodging military formations in areas such as Wulgo, Wajiroko, and Sabon Gari.
Zulum urged the federal government and security agencies to act decisively to prevent a reversal of the gains made in the fight against insurgency.
“While we appreciate the tremendous support from the federal government and the military, the current shift in focus away from the North East risks undermining our progress,” Zulum said, highlighting the need for renewed efforts to curb the escalating violence.
The minister’s visit signals a renewed commitment to addressing the security challenges in Borno, where sporadic attacks have raised fears among residents and displaced communities.
Operation HADIN KAI remains a cornerstone of Nigeria’s efforts to combat insurgency and restore stability to the troubled region.
By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
As Nigeria joins the global community to mark World Malaria Day 2025, the Caleb Danladi Foundation has stepped up its efforts to combat the disease, with a special focus on protecting vulnerable populations.
Aligning with this year’s theme, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite,” the Foundation facilitated the re-enrollment of hundreds of women, children, and other at-risk groups into the Kaduna State Health Insurance Scheme.
Founder of the Foundation, Captain Caleb Danladi, disclosed that the organisation fully funded the beneficiaries’ insurance premiums to enhance their access to malaria prevention and treatment services.
Speaking during Friday’s commemoration, Danladi lamented that malaria continues to claim countless lives, particularly in underserved communities.
“Healthcare is a right, not a privilege,” he said. “On this World Malaria Day, we reaffirm our commitment to saving lives through direct support, strong advocacy, and strategic investments in community health solutions.”
He emphasised the need for sustained investments in healthcare and a reimagined approach to delivering equitable services across communities.
Danladi also urged government agencies, healthcare workers, and development partners to strengthen collaboration efforts aimed at eradicating malaria, noting that safeguarding the health and dignity of Nigerians especially women and children is a shared responsibility.
The Director-General (D-G) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, stated that Africa would be minimally impacted by the tariffs imposed by the President of the United States of America (USA), Donald Trump.
Okonjo-Iweala made the remark during an interview with Nigerian journalists at the Spring Meetings of the World Bank in Washington D.C. on Friday.
She explained that only 6.5 per cent of Africa’s exports go to the USA, while 4.4 per cent of its imports come from the U.S., meaning that the impact on the continent would be minimal.
“The trade of the continent is very limited with the USA. We have done the analysis, and the impact on the continent as a whole is not significant,” she said.
However, she noted that Africa’s limited trade with the USA was also not ideal, as it hindered economic growth.
The D-G emphasised that Africa needed to focus on utilising its own resources to reach its full potential, as aid was declining, and the continent required more investment.
She pointed out that Africa must strengthen internal trade, citing Lesotho as an example.
In spite of Lesotho exporting 200 million dollars’ worth of textiles to the USA, the country faced challenges due to the shrinking U.S. market.
Okonjo-Iweala noted that Africa spent 7 billion dollars annually on importing textiles, suggesting that Lesotho should instead focus on selling textiles within African markets.
She also urged the USA to consider the effects of tariffs on least-developed countries, calling for a reassessment of the reciprocal tariffs in poorer nations.
Okonjo-Iweala concluded that Africa needed more investments and should work towards boosting intra-Africa trade, which remained underdeveloped.
“We cannot trade more externally, where our trade is only 3 per cent of world trade, or internally, where intra-Africa trade is 16 to 20 per cent at most,” she said.(NAN)