Final preparations are under way at the Henri-Elendé gymnasium in Brazzaville ahead of two continental basketball competitions scheduled from 24 to 28 October 2026. The venue will host Group C West Division qualifiers of the Road to BAL from 24 to 26 October and the Zone 4 Women's Basketball League Africa (WBLA) qualifiers from 24 to 28 October.
With FECOKET president Fabrice Makaya Matève away on a professional trip, first vice-president Dimi Yoka carried out an inspection visit to assess the progress of the works. Technicians on the court have been installing the hoops and painting the lines, while workers in the changing rooms continue painting. The offices and meeting room are also being fitted out to meet international competition standards.
Yoka told the press that the works should finish on schedule, but acknowledged that financing remains a concern. FECOKET has approached the Ministry of Sports for support to complete the remaining tasks. The federation has already taken on debts to keep the project moving and has submitted several quotations, awaiting a response from the ministry.
The men's tournament will see four clubs competing for the two qualifying spots in the West Division Elite 16, the next stage on the road to the Basketball Africa League (BAL) 2027. Six teams will contest the women's event for two places in the WBLA final phase.
Tickets are priced at 500 FCFA. The staging of both competitions marks Congo's return to the international basketball stage, after the country withdrew from hosting the men's AfroBasket in 2017 due to financial constraints.
