•Basketball players train during the Legacy Summer Camp, organised by SEED Project alumnus Pape Latyr Gnigu, in Dakar, Senegal, September 30, 2026. REUTERS/Misper Apawu.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has closed its only elite training academy in Africa.

Reuters reported on Thursday that the academy , established less than a decade ago was launched in Senegal to prepare promising young African players ‌for professional leagues in the US and elsewhere.

The decision to close NBA Academy Africa, the league’s first such facility in Africa, was a blow to students and young players across the continent, two former employees said.

Michel Chikwanine, who had been the academy’s performance and lifestyle adviser, said the news discouraged African players just beginning to build confidence.

“From the moment we told them, their confidence waned, their confidence dropped,” he said.

Michael Abbott, former head of academic planning at the academy, said it showed a lack of commitment to the students.

“They ⁠weren’t invested in them as kids as much as they were invested in the business model,” he said.

In response to questions from Reuters, the NBA said the decision reflected a shift in global basketball development strategy.

It has previously closed academies in Mexico and Australia. All training will be run out of a new global academy to open soon in the United Arab Emirates’ Abu Dhabi, it said.

In its statement, the NBA added that it is continuing to invest in African talent through other programs and that closing the academy does not signal a diminished commitment to the continent.

Lionel Messi has been confirmed as the new owner of Spanish football club CD Eldense, marking the Argentine superstar’s second club ownership venture in Spain.Eldense announced the ownership change in an official statement on X on Thursday confirming that Messi has completed the acquisition of the club and will now oversee its next phase.

Eldense announced the ownership change in an official statement on X on Thursday confirming that Messi has completed the acquisition of the club and will now oversee its next phase.

The move adds Eldense to Messi’s growing football investment portfolio.

The former Barcelona and Argentina captain previously became an owner of UE Cornellà, making Eldense his second Spanish club.

Messi’s entry into Eldense ownership is expected to bring increased international attention to the club as it looks to strengthen its sporting and commercial ambitions.

Nigeria’s under-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, have been confirmed winners of the 2026 WAFU B U-17 women’s tournament following a 4-0 win over Togo U-17 team on the final day of matches.

Nigeria finished the tournament with five wins from five matches, becoming the first country to win all matches in the tournament, claiming a flawless record in the second edition of the regional championship.

The Flamingos dethroned Ghana who finished second in the six-nation tournament to relinquish the title after winning the maiden tournament in 2024.

Harmony Chidera scored a brace of penalties to lead Nigeria to the big win, with further goals from Umejiaku Oluebube and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi.

Chidera netted the first penalty on 15 minutes after Adegbuyi was brought down, and repeated the task successfully on 35 minutes when Adegbuyi was brought down again.

The third goal came in the 67th minutes from Oluebube’s harmless cross from the wing that sailed into the top corner of the net, and Adegbuyi got the goal her performance deserved in the 90th minute to seal the dominant victory.

Nigeria finished with 15 points on the log, six points ahead of Ghana who played hosts Ivory Coast in their final match of the tournament.

The victory gives the Flamingos more confidence as they continue preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup taking place in Morocco from October 17 to November 7.

(Daily Trust)