It is no small matter that Djelika "Mami" Tounkara has lost her anonymity.
"I am afraid," Tounkara told DW. "Before my name went public, I had already received death threats. Now, I will need more protection, but I have never had any. So, even though I am afraid, I want to talk, to express myself because I want to protect others."
Her name became public in a decision published by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in June, but her fight for justice began in 2021 when she rejected and then reported the sexual advances of her former head coach at the Malian Basketball Federation (FMBB).
The coach was later charged, arrested and jailed in July 2021 for pedophilia, attempted rape and molestation of other victims.
Shortly afterwards, the talented then-teenager lost her place in the squad for the U18/U19 World Cup in Hungary in August 2021, which she and her lawyers claim was direct retaliation for reporting abuse.
"The federation (FMBB) tried to shut me up when I spoke up at the time," the now 21-year-old Tounkara said. "Even just for that, I didn't receive any support from FIBA (basketball's world governing body)."
Tounkara also said that the threats made her feel that she had to leave the country for her own safety.
Tounkara's decision to speak to DW came after yet another setback in her quest for FIBA to acknowledge the harm she has been subjected to for becoming a whistleblower.
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