It’s a cloudy Monday for the FIBA. A report from New York Times has reported a case of systemic sexual abuse within the Mali Basketball Federation during the last decades. This has fully affected Hamane niang, president of the same until three years ago and now the maximum president of FIBA.
Niang was chosen in 2019 as president of the world’s highest basketball body, But before he spent many years at the head of the federation of the West African country. During his tenure, he helped his country’s team to become a world-renowned team, especially for such a poor country.
However, the NYT has published an investigation that exposes numerous cases of sexual harassment and abuse by members of the federation since the beginning of the century. These facts were given especially in cases of adolescent girls, according to the American media.
Yes OK Niang has not been accused of being part of the abuses, but he is criticized for having ignored facts that, according to reports, he knew perfectly well. Niang served as president from 1999 to 2011, later becoming the country’s sports minister.
In addition, Niang has received more criticism for having abandoned his country from the position of president of FIBA, leaving hundreds of women vulnerable to continued harassment from officials, coaches and more figures within the federation.
Although both FIBA and Niang have denied the allegations, the president has decided to step aside and cooperate with the investigation while the facts are clarified. Niang refused to answer a series of questions the NYT sent him a week ago., before publishing your report.
This research highlights numerous Mali players accusing Niang of turning a blind eye and ignoring a serious problem within their own federation. The accounts of the players describe several cases of abuse and harassment that occurred over the years during concentrations and tournaments played by the country’s national team.
Hatsa the moment, several officials and coaches from Mali have been suspended, while the investigation is ongoing. FIBA has shown its rejection of all cases of harassment and abuse and has wanted to extend his compassion to all victims of this type of violence.