Earlier today, the NBA and FIBA announced the formation of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), a league that will begin in January 2020 and features 12 franchises. During the announcement, NBA commissioner Adam Silver also announced that former President Barack Obama will also be involved.

According to Silver, the former President expressed a desire to have direct involvement with the league, and Silver has apparently said yes to the proposition. No details on what exactly Obama’s role will be in the league have been announced, but having that kind of ambassador involved will no doubt be a huge push for the new league.

Obama’s father is from Kenya, and he became the United States’ first-ever African American president when he was elected in 2008.

When it launches, the BAL will feature 12 franchises that will begin play in January 2020, with existing African club teams having a chance to qualify for the league. For the league and basketball as a whole, this marks a huge moment, as the NBA has always been about branching out into other markets, and this will no doubt help legitimize the basketball efforts that have already been made in Africa.

The NBA and FIBA also announced that they are planning on conducting qualification tournaments later this year in order to find the 12 best teams to represent countries including Angola, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia. According to the statement, there will be no more than two teams from any single country in the league. FIBA also promised to dedicate financial support and resources toward the development of the sport in Africa, which will include money that goes to training players, coaches, referees, and infrastructure.