Rwanda sign agreement to host more basketball action

Rwanda Sports Minister Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju and Fiba's Alphonse Bilé shake hand after signing the agreement /COURTESY

BASKETBALL Rwanda sign agreement to host more basketball action

Ndyamuhaki J Emanzi 08:32 - 26.05.2023

It is the third straight year that the country is hosting the playoffs of the competition, and the Afrobasket will be another high-profile competition in the city of Kigali.

The BK Arena in Kigali will once again be the place to be in July and August as Rwanda hosts yet another big basketball competition.

On Thursday, the country, through Sports Minister Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju, signed an agreement with FIBA Africa to host the 2023 Women's Afrobasket.

The continental showpiece contested by African national teams will take place in Kigali from July 28 to August 6 and will attract 12 countries from across Africa.

At the moment, Rwanda is hosting teams competing in the Basketball Africa League Playoffs.

It is the third straight year that the country is hosting the playoffs of the competition, and the Afrobasket will be another high-profile competition in the city of Kigali.

Minister Munyangaju said: "We wholeheartedly embrace this opportunity to showcase our commitment to sports and gender equality.”

“Rwanda has made significant strides in promoting women's participation in sports, and hosting the 2023 women's Afrobasket is a testament to our unwavering dedication,” she added. 

The BAL, men's Afrobasket and the Fiba Basketball World Cup Qualifiers are some of the major basketball events Rwanda has hosted in the last three years.

"For the last three years, Rwanda has been the capital of African Basketball because of good infrastructure,” said Alphonse Bilé, the FIBA Africa Regional Director.

“The country has hosted Men's Afrobasket in 2021 and is currently hosting BAL finals. This makes Rwanda simply the ideal place to host the 2023 Women's Afrobasket," Bilé added. 

Since inaugurating the magnificent BK Arena in Remera, Rwanda has also hosted events like the Africa Men's and Women's Volleyball Championship in 202 and the FIFA Congress in March this year.