Zona Zealots
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Valiant Oumar Ballo takes stand with Mali Basketball Federation, Mo Tangara explains

By Shereen Rayan

TUCSON, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 05: Center Oumar Ballo #11 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts to a call during the first half of the game against the USC Trojans at McKale Center on February 05, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 05: Center Oumar Ballo #11 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts to a call during the first half of the game against the USC Trojans at McKale Center on February 05, 2022 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images) /
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Feb 3, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats center Oumar Ballo (11) warms up before the game against the UCLA Bruins at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Coduto-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats center Oumar Ballo (11) warms up before the game against the UCLA Bruins at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Coduto-USA TODAY Sports /

Arizona Basketball junior big man Oumar Ballo made a valiant stand as he was supposed to play with the Mali National Team.

Instead of going along with being disrespected by the government of his native country of Mali, our Wildcat instead refused to play in a 2023 World Cup qualifying match against Uganda, Why? Because of unpaid bonuses.

How did it go down? The Ugandan team took the floor for the game, but the Mali team decided to stay in the locker room. This resulted in a forfeit as Oumar, along with his brother Drissa Ballo, and teammates Ibrahim Djambo, Sadio Doucure, and Mahamadou Kante who are Pro’s playing in France declined to play.

Mali’s Ibrahima Saonera and Ibrahim Sidibe (Belgium Pro) did not appear as both have been banned from playing basketball with the Malian National team for life.

Ballo posted a message to his fans and the Mali Basketball Federation on Instagram regarding being banned from playing in Mali, it’s an unfortunate turn of events. Here is an excerpt:

"“The Malian basketball federation banned us from the selection because we claimed our rights, unpaid bonuses, false promises given to us, lack of respect for the players, poor preparation conditions, we just want change, a new, better Mali. With all the respect I have for the Malian people, I want to inform everyone that I, Oumar BALLO, took a break with the national team of Mali. An adage says “You have to know how to leave the table when respect is no longer served”. I love my homeland I am proud to be Malian. I count on FIBA ​​to investigate and judge properly”"

Ballo not playing was unfortunate as Arizona’s seven-foot center, has had tremendous success playing on this stage, winning three FIBA medals:

FIBA Africa U16 Championship – 2017 Mauritius – Gold Medal
FIBA Africa U18 Championship – 2018 Mali Team – Gold Medal
FIBA U19 World Cup – 2019 Greece – Silver Medal

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