{
  "id": 16567895,
  "title": "Spintex Knights stranded in Libya over $33,000 debt despite BAL qualification",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/spintex-knights-stranded-in-libya-over-33-000-debt-despite-bal",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-26T06:47:24.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GBC Ghana",
    "slug": "gbc-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/news/spintex-knights-stranded-in-libya-over-33000-debt-despite-bal-qualification/2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana’s Basketball Africa League (BAL) representatives, Spintex Knights, find themselves stranded in Libya due to a debt of approximately $33,000, which includes flight tickets and visa-on-arrival charges. Despite qualifying for the BAL Elite 16 after winning all three of their Group B games in the Division West preliminary stage, the team is unable to return home. This marks the second time in a row that the Knights have reached this stage, having done so for the first time in 2024 as the first Ghanaian club to achieve such a feat. Club co-founder Dr. Eric Opoku-Antwi has confirmed that the team needs GH¢350,000 (about $30,234.57) to cover these expenses, bringing the total debt to around $33,000. The club has been grappling with financial difficulties since its inception three years ago and is now reaching out for urgent support to clear the debt and facilitate the players' return. Ghana Basketball Federation president Alex Kukula expressed disappointment with the situation, acknowledging that the federation itself has limited resources for team travel. The club is currently awaiting a response from the Ministry of Sports and Recreation while also seeking public assistance through a donation platform. The players are set to compete in the Elite 16 stage in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, from November 10-15, 2026, where the top two teams will secure spots for the 2027 BAL season. For Spintex Knights, resolving the travel debt is the immediate priority to ensure the players can return home and prepare for the next phase of the competition.",
  "summary": "By Kwame Bediako Ghana’s Basketball Africa League (BAL) representatives, Spintex Knights, are stranded in Libya and unable to return home due to an outstanding debt of about $33,000 covering flight tickets and visa-on-arrival charges. What happened on the court The Accra Basketball League champions qualified for the BAL Elite 16 after winning all three games […]",
  "key_points": [
    "Ghana's Spintex Knights stranded in Libya due to $33,000 debt",
    "Team qualified for BAL Elite 16 after winning Group B games",
    "Club seeks urgent support to clear debt and facilitate players' return"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Spintex Knights reach Road to BAL Elite 16 unbeaten, set up JCA rematch",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/spintex-knights-reach-road-to-bal-elite-16-unbeaten-set-up-jca-rematch",
        "published": "2026-10-26T07:09:55.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}