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The Martin Ngoko Center Controversy

By Lingyun SUWAN | LNC

(Bangui, July 29, 2026 | LAMINE MÉDIA) Since the Central African Republic lacks the equivalent of a French community youth center (*MJC*), sports arenas are often used for non-sporting purposes—leading to inevitable consequences such as devastation, vandalism, and other forms of damage. However, plans to use the recently renovated Martin Ngoko National Basketball Center for non-sporting activities (political rallies, concerts, etc.) have sparked an outcry within the Central African basketball community. Players, technical staff, and officials rightly argue that the facility is not designed for such events. Yet, according to several figures in the basketball world, the Martin Ngoko Center is frequently rented out for parties, concerts, meetings, and other non-sporting events. This practice disrupts the Basketball League’s competition schedule, as the court is not always available for matches and training sessions. Consequently, Anicet Patrick Milabet Gonofé, President of the Central African Basketball Federation, maintains that the center should be reserved exclusively for basketball: "All the offices are occupied by staff from other departments. It is truly unfortunate. We were recently in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, where there is a center reserved solely for the basketball community. That is exactly what we are calling for here." For the record, the Martin Ngoko Center is administered by the National Sports Office (ONASPORT), which has managed the facility since its renovation. Work on the project began in August 2023 and was funded not by the Central African Republic, but by NBA Africa and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

For: LAMINE MEDIA (in FR and GB)

Date: July 29, 2026

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