AfroBasket 2021 champions honored at Tunisian Presidential Palace

TUNIS (Tunisia) - The President of Tunisia Kais Saied early this week hosted a gala at Carthage Presidential Palace in Tunis to celebrate the accomplishment by some of the country's national teams who recently conquered Africa, including the winners of the FIBA AfroBasket 2021.

In addition to basketball, President Saied honoured Paralympic athletes who represented the North African country at Tokyo 2020 as well Tunisia senior team who took home gold after winning the Volleyball African Championship held in Kigali.

The hosting of the three-time AfroBasket was to make the victorious side feel appreciated for winning the 16-nation African Championship held in August in Rwanda.

It was the AfroBasket champions' second visit to the Carthage Presidential Palace in four years, having done so after clinching FIBA Africa's most important competition in September 2017 in Rades. 

Tunisia began a successful AfroBasket journey after winning their first title in Antananarivo, Madagascar in 2011.

After two failed attempts to lift the prestigious AfroBasket title in 2013 and 2015, Tunisia became the first African team - over the last 25 years - to win back-to-back titles since Angola swept the continent with five triumphs from 1999 to 2009.

The Tunisians' latest moment of glory came on the heel of a hard-fought 78-75 win over Cote D'Ivoire in September.

Led to the Presidential reception by federation President Ali Benzarti and co-captain Mokthar Ghyaza, President Saied showed encomium on the Africa champion for doing Tunisians proud and urged the team to ensure qualification for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 to be staged in Japan, Indonesia and Philippines.

Tunisia, who first graced the African Championship now known as FIBA AfroBasket in 1964, have since grown in leaps and bounds.

FIBA