The Democratic Republic of Congo Basketball Federation (FEBACO) has permanently banned four coaches and suspended several players for participating in the Giants of Africa Festival held in Kigali, Rwanda, without official authorization.
The festival, which ran from July 26 to August 2, 2025, brought together young basketball talents and coaches from across the continent. It featured training clinics, games, workshops, and cultural events aimed at promoting sports development in Africa.
Participants came from various countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, Tanzania, Botswana, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Mali, Morocco, Senegal, and DR Congo.
Following the event, the DR Congo Minister of Sports, Didier Budimbu Ntubuanga, directed FEBACO to investigate individuals who represented the country and wore the national flag without government approval.
In a statement issued this week, FEBACO announced disciplinary action against those involved. Four coaches, including Natacha Teba Mambengya a former national team captain and current coach of BC Hatari have been banned for life from all basketball activities in the country.
Meanwhile, several players have been suspended for one year, while Gloire Tambwe Mwamba received a two-year ban for being a repeat offender. Mwamba had previously declined a national team call-up, which FEBACO considered an act of indiscipline.
The federation accused the group of “representing the country and wearing its flag without proper authorization,” calling the act a serious breach of national sports regulations.
The sanctions have sparked mixed reactions within the Congolese basketball community, with some calling for leniency given the event’s continental purpose to empower young African athletes while others defend FEBACO’s decision as necessary to enforce discipline and respect for institutional procedures.
Author: Justinmind HARERIMANA
