Two Mali basketballers who were filmed fighting with each other at the FIBA Women’s World Cup have apologised, saying they were frustrated after their team were eliminated from the tournament.
The fight was between Salimatou Kourouma and Kamite Elisabeth Dabou.
It broke out as Serbia’s Sasa Cado was being interviewed in the mixed zone after Mali lost 81-68 in their Group B clash in Sydney on Monday.
Kourouma was seen throwing punches at Dabou before other Mali players ran in to break the pair apart in front of a visibly shocked Cado.
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has launched an investigation into the incident.
“We are here to apologise for the image that is going on social media. It was not our intention and we were frustrated because of the loss,” Kourouma, who sat alongside Dabou, told reporters on Tuesday.
“We are here to apologise to the world of basketball (and the) FIBA World Cup. We are sorry for the image.”
Mali finished bottom of the group after losing all five of their games.
The quarter-finals take place on Thursday followed by the semi-finals on Friday and the final on Saturday.
Rice, a staple for Christmas celebrations in Nigeria, has become a luxury this year. Soaring…
Panic erupted on Saturday at a concert in Lagos when the stage collapsed during Odumodublvck’s…
The Federal Government of Nigeria has allocated ₦6,364,181,224 billion for the refurbishment and rehabilitation of…
The black market dollar to naira exchange rate for today, 22nd December 2024, can be…
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has refuted claims that the 60,000 barrels per…
Manchester City finds itself in unprecedented turmoil, with relegation-level form showing little sign of improvement.…