MEAWW.COM / NEWS / SPORTS

Video shows violent altercation between Mali teammates after Women's Basketball World Cup loss

Salimatou Kourouma and Kamite Elisabeth Dabou were caught on camera throwing punches against each other

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA: After Mali's World Cup loss to Serbia in Sydney, two of their teammates from the women's basketball team were caught on camera punching each other in a violent incident. Salimatou Kourouma and Kamite Elisabeth Dabou got into a fight as Sasa Cado, a Serbian player, was being interviewed in the mixed zone after her team's 81-68 victory over Mali on Monday, September 26. Dabou is seen trying to wrestle her partner and put her in a headlock even as Kourouma flings a barrage of blows at her. 

It is currently unknown what started the altercation, but former women's athlete Diana Gandega, who represented Mali at the 2008 Olympics, criticized the media coverage in a series of lengthy Instagram posts. She accused the media of covering only the fight and not the athletes' condition, whom she alleges were forced to sleep in airports.

RELATED ARTICLES 

Why was Jaxson Hayes arrested? NBA star 'tasered and injured' during brawl with police

Footage shows referee KNOCKING OUT angry man during mass brawl at school basketball game

Gandega wrote in French on her Instagram story, “We are still waiting for these same media to support our players (Senegalese and Malian for example) who had to sleep on the ground in one airport because of no organization beforehand. One mistake that has, and will, taint a whole nation (could) even (taint) a whole sporting continent. When this beautiful team fought for the shirt, there was almost nobody (supporting) it. Now that there is a rift, the whole world relays (the fight footage).”

“Yes, they should never have acted in public like that: dirty laundry is cleaned up out of sight. Today this laundry is spread out in the public square, and the whole of Africa is judged for a few minutes of stupidity. Let's not rely on our networks for the video (because) it is still giving the stick to be beaten. And let's educate our youth!” she added. 

Meanwhile, Mali will play their final World Cup game against Canada on Tuesday at Qudos Bank Arena since they cannot advance past the group stage after losing all four of their opening contests. Kourouma and Dabou, who represent Stade Malien and Centre Dorinthie Basket respectively, are scheduled to play against Canada while FIBA decides whether or not to take disciplinary action. According to Daily Mail, following the Group B tie between Serbia and Mali, FIBA said in a statement, "FIBA acknowledged today that there was an altercation between Mali players in the mixed zone following the Group B game Serbia-Mali at the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022. Following the incident, FIBA has opened an investigation. Once the investigation is concluded, FIBA will decide on any applicable disciplinary measures."

Mali qualified for their second World Cup as a late replacement for Nigeria, who pulled out citing administrative difficulties around basketball in their country. Mali, the tournament's lowest-ranked squad at 37 in the world, is one of just two teams that hasn't tasted victory in the 12-team competition. The Malians had shown signs of competitiveness at times, but their defeat against Australia by a score of 118-58 was a low point. Up until Monday night, September 26, their last opponents, Canada, were unbeaten, and another win would guarantee them a top-two Pool B finish.