The Martin Ngoko National Basketball Center (French: Centre national de basket-ball de Martin Ngokoh; abbreviated as CNBMN[1]) is an indoor arena in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic.
| Type | Indoor arena |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,500 |
| Current use | Basketball |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 9 August 2023 (reconstruction) |
| Renovated | 9 August 2023 |
| Rebuilt | 2023–2024 |
| Builder | Kefa Sports Ltd. (reconstruction) |
The arena was the host venue of the FIBA Africa Championship 1974, the first to be hosted in the Central African Republic, and the first to be won by the national team.[2] After it was not used for 13 years, the arena underwent a re-building project, . Basketball in the country had been underfunded, however Central African players such as Thierry Darlan and Kurt-Curry Wegscheider did well on the international stage, which led to the decision by FIBA and NBA Africa to fund the re-building of the arena.[3][1][4] Construction began in August 2023 and included a complete demolition of the previous hall.[1] The construction is led by Rwanda-based company Kefa Sports Ltd., and will see an improved capacity of 4,500 people.
The arena is named after former national team player Martin Nogko.
References
edit- ^ a b c "Centrafrique : le Centre national de basket-ball Martin Ngoko en pleine reconstruction". Radio Ndeke Luka (in French). 14 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ "Abanyarwanda bari kubaka inzu y'imikino ya Basketball muri Centrafrique". Igihe.com. 23 November 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ Sango, Ndjoni (5 March 2024). "RCA: les travaux de reconstruction du centre national Martin Ngoko avance à grands pas - Ndjoni Sango" (in French). Retrieved 17 September 2024.
- ^ "Le centre national de basketball Martin Ngoko à Bangui sera bientôt rénové". NouvellesPlus (in French). 21 August 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2024.