It is not a small matter that Djelika “Mami” Tounkara has lost her oblivion.
“I am afraid,” Tankara told DW. “Before my name turned public, I was already a threat to death. Now, I would need more security, but I never had anyone. So, even if I am afraid, I want to talk, I want to protect the other to express my self -heartfelt.”
His name in a judgment published by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in June became public, but his fight for justice began in 2021 when he rejected and then reported the sexual progress of his former head coach at Malian Basketball Federation (FMB).
The coach was later accused, arrested and imprisoned for Podophilia in July 2021, tried to tamper with rape and other victims.
Shortly thereafter, the then talented teenager lost his place in the team for the U18/U19 World Cup in Hungary in August 2021, which he and his lawyers claim that there was a direct retaliation to report misuse.
“Federation (FMB) tried to close me when I spoke at the time when I spoke.” “For this too, I did not get any support from FIBA (the world of basketball governing body).”
Taumara said that this danger felt him that he had to leave the country for his safety.
CAS Rules are not jurisdiction
Tankara’s decision to talk to DW came after another shock in his search for Fiba, which he has accepted the loss to become a whistleblower.
In his judgment published last month, Cass ruled that Taumara did not have the jurisdiction to hear the appeal.
Tankara had gymnastics after years of seeking justice within several FIBA legal system as he had denied measures for opportunities.
In August 2021, he filed a case with the FIBA Ethics Panel, claiming that FMBB had falsely left him from the national team.
The death of three out of five members on the panel delayed one ruling, Tankra was left to the remaining members, who were waiting for one ruling or leasing in the middle of 2023, when the new panel members of the appointed. Do not want to wait, Tankara decided for Fiba’s appeal panel. It was then rejected in 2024 that his lawyers turned to Cass.
“I am disappointed that the CAS focuses only on technical details,” he said. “The FIBA still does not speak about my safety and safety of other girls of our country who misbehaved at that time. Cass believed me, but again they did nothing to help me in the end.”
A ‘cycle of internal legal procedures’
William Bok III, who signed one of Tankara’s lawyers in 2022, has observed CAS’s decision to accept the FIBA’s request that the court does not have the jurisdiction as a significant blow.
Bock told DW, “This is the most disappointing consequence that I ever did as a lawyer because ‘Mami’ already has experience due to the vastness of mistakes.” “We have spent four years, which the FIBA has tried to undo some damage to thwart him and we are in our maze of internal legal procedures that we can never get out.”
This is because when Cas ruled that he did not have the jurisdiction, it referred to the case back into the FIBA’s morality panel.
Bock and other lawyers of Toumara have tried to measure those opportunities for years that believe that they were not allowed to participate in the 2021 U18/U19 World Cup. His career was kept for more than two years because he was threatened with death in Mali.
Opportunities denied
Bock said, “Mami is a young woman, but whoever goes to everyone, she loses opportunities that do not get away from the foot to attend a very imported point in their careers,” Bok said.
“Especially in a world program, which would have allowed him to look at the United States and the world around the world. He may have a better basketball opportunity if the FIBA quickly realizes that it was a matter of vengeance.”
Ahmar Miyaga, founder and executive director of the non-profit organization Young Players Protection Association at Africa-Mali (YPPA-Mali), is the first to report the misconduct and there is doubt about Fiba’s real desire to help Tankra.
“He (Tankara) spoke and due to the truth, he paid a lot for it,” Miyaga said. “In his career and in his personal life. The FIBA has always preferred business for security. It is all about business and politics, not about the safety of players.”
Determination to fight on
Due to the return of the case to the FIBA Ethics panel, there is no indication when the decision on the player’s appeal can be issued. Responding to a query from DW, FIBA only confirmed that CAS had sent the case back to the moral panel.
Despite being tired of the fight and in constant fear for your life, Tankara remains firm in continuing with his current path, not for the betterment of his life but for young girls expecting his own basketball dreams in the gardener.
“I always expect justice,” he said. “For me, this justice will be a change that protects the youth and our younger sisters in the future.”
Edited by: Chak Penfol
