The Malian Ministry of Youth and Sports, in collaboration with a mobile phone company, has launched a campaign to raise funds with which to sponsor the national football and basketball teams engaged in competitions across Africa next year.
The target is to raise FCFA 3 billion for the preparation and participation of the national teams.
In football, Mali will take part in the African Cup of Nations to be held from 19 January to 10 February, 2013, in South Africa.
The national Under 17 football team will participate in the African Youth Champs slated for Algeria.
Meanwhile, the national basketball teams will participate in the African male and female basketball tournaments.
The U-18 basketball team is also expected to attend the U-18 World Cup after clinching its qualification.
Due to the security crisis in Mali, the government said it is unable to directly finance the teams, the Malian Ministry of Youth and Sports stated.
