After receiving several allegations in June 2021 of systemic sexual harassment within the Mali Basketball Federation (FMBB), FIBA has worked closely in Mali with various local and international partners and stakeholders towards establishing a sporting environment that protects the integrity and safety of young basketball players.
Following the allegations discovered and independently verified in the summer of 2021, FIBA opened disciplinary proceedings against ten people, including several coaches and FMBB officials. After issuing provisional suspensions until the conclusion of these procedures, FIBA has imposed the following sanctions:
Amadou Bamba (former Mali National Team Coach): lifetime suspension from carrying out a function or participating in any FIBA or FIBA-related activities, in addition to a CHF 80,000 fine.
Harouna Maiga (former FMBB President): eight-year suspension from carrying out a function or participating in any FIBA or FIBA-related activities, in addition to a CHF 20,000 fine.
Seydou Maiga (former FMBB Secretary General): six-year suspension from carrying out a function or participating in any FIBA or FIBA-related activities, in addition to a CHF 10,000 fine.
Amadou Traore (former FMBB 1st Vice-President): four-year suspension from carrying out a function or participating in any FIBA or FIBA-related activities, in addition to a CHF 5,000 fine.
Fatoumata Diallo (former Mali National Team Assistant Coach): two-year suspension from carrying out a function or participating in any FIBA or FIBA-related activities.
As part of the sanctions, the parties are required to complete FIBA-approved safeguarding training prior to the expiration of the sanction and as a pre-condition for their return to FIBA or FIBA-related activities.
Beyond the legal procedures, FIBA also focused on developing safeguarding policies, resources, and education, and improving protection of persons in vulnerable situations within the Mali basketball landscape. FIBA partnered with the "Fondation Terre des Hommes" (Tdh), an independent organization with extensive experience in keeping children safe in sport, and a local partner. Thanks to this partnership, FIBA launched a basketball safeguard and protection service for young players and other persons in vulnerable situations in Mali.
Awareness-raising and education resources, produced through this partnership, were used to deliver workshops with youth from national teams, all first division clubs, reaching more than 1,800 young participants. The function of a local safeguarding focal point was established across the club structures, improving the capacity to recognize the rights and interests of players and other young people involved in sport, build and maintain safe cultures, use an approach to prevent abuse or harm, and start engaging others across the system to be aware of and comply with relevant requirements.
An independent and secure reporting system was also implemented to welcome, listen, guide, and monitor players experiencing difficulties or that are victims of abuse. Legal and psychosocial support has been provided to survivors of abuse upon request, while group therapies were organized with all young players for further support. In parallel, a safeguarding expert was recruited to conduct an independent analysis of the FMBB's current situation and to develop and implement a strategy to improve safeguarding activities in the future.
In addition, safeguarding experts accompanied the Mali youth national team delegations to their international competitions in 2021 and 2022, continuing their education and awareness-raising, as well as ensuring a safe environment for all. This initiative extended to all of Mali's first division clubs, with whom Tdh conducted workshops and trained local safeguarding focal points.
Sira Thienou will continue her college career at Auburn
