Malawi's Bravehearts International Basketball Tournament has been forced to undergo a downgrade. This decision follows the last-minute withdrawal of all international clubs and teams originally invited. In a letter dated September 6, 2023, Mr. Daud Hussein, the President of the Bravehearts Basketball Club, blamed the sudden pullout of teams from Zimbabwe and Zambia as the primary reason for this development. The Zambia's Midlands Basketball Association denied permission for the Lusaka Basketball Queens and Kings to travel, citing insufficient prior notice. Yvonne Mushimwa Kunda, the association's Secretary General, expressed frustration with poor communication and advised future organizers to contact the national association for reference. Similarly, the Zimbabwean teams, including national champions JBC and UZ Sparks, along with Lakers Mzansi, withdrew at the last minute due to clearance issues with the SRC, mirroring the same challenges faced by the Zambian teams. BIBC had prepared impressive packages for participating teams, including meals, accommodation, and a total prize money of $4,500 divided evenly among the categories. Teams and clubs in the region are struggling with affiliation fees for both local leagues and international FIBA tournaments. Despite there being travel protocol to be followed, the current circumstances underline the need for flexibility in exceptional conditions such as these. The BIBC tournament will proceed as a local event despite the downgrade, as there are teams coming from outside Lilongwe and have already paid for officials from other countries.