Bana Ali, a basketball legend in Somalia, has died of COVID-19, FIBA Africa has confirmed.
At the time of his death, Ali was the Head of International Relation for Somali Basketball Federation. He also served as the Head of Marketing for FIBA Africa Zone 5.
Further, he had several accomplishments in 2020.
First, he secured corporate sponsorship for the men’s senior national team, which enabled them to travel to Nairobi to play against Kenya in the Pre-Qualifiers of FIBA AfroBasket 2021.
Two, in his role as the Head of Marketing at Somalia Basketball Federation, Ali was working on a plan that would allow his country to compete in men and women’s teams in all age groups.
While condoling with Somalis, FIBA Africa’s President Anibal Manave said, “We have lost a man who played crucial roles in promoting basketball in Somalia and Africa.”