KIGALI – The NBA Africa unveiled renovated Basketball facility at Lycée de Kigali School, Nyarugenge, on Friday, February 10 as part of their positive cooperation with Rwanda Basketball Federation, FERWABA
The ceremony marked a special day for the Rwandan Basketball Ecosystem as they got to enjoy a newly refurbished Basketball indoor court. The facility will help more than 4,000 young people from Kigali and nearby to learn Basketball in great atmosphere
The renovated facility, which includes an indoor basketball court, team locker rooms, washing rooms, medical room, coaching staff facility were unveiled at an opening ceremony that was followed by a basketball contest of Junior NBA U 16 boys and girls.
Hon. Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju, The Rwanda’s Minister of Sports opened the new facility with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony, inviting the NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams, The Minister of State in Charge of Primary and Secondary Education Dr. Gaspard Twagirayezu as well as Mr. Desire Mugwiza, The President of Rwanda Basketball Federation to the podium to speak about the completed project
In his welcome remarks, Desire Mugwiza, FERWABA President thanked the stakeholders for working together to make this happen
“We are grateful for the commitment of all partners joined to the journey of developing Basketball in Rwanda. The renovation to upgrade LDK gymnasium is the result of collaborative efforts of NBA Africa, Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Education, the city of Kigali and Rwanda Basketball Federation.” Said Desire Mugwiza
In her words, the sports minister emphasized that the initiative is in line with the sports policy
“It is an initiative that we are quite proud of. In compliance with the sports policy, the ministry of sports must take all reasonable steps to improve the infrastructure in both schools and residential areas. We are pleased they built such a top-notch with the international standards” Said Honorable Munyangaju
Victor Williams, the CEO of NBA Africa, who played a significant role in the building of that Gymnasium, declared that it is another step forward in the growth of basketball in Rwanda, especially in the youth.
He said “The infrastructure is important but more important is the ability to use the infrastructure for programs and activities going forward. so, we look to our partners to create a program that will allow all of young people to use the court in for play as well as for competition.”
He continued “The Jr NBA is the program that the NBA has specifically designed to involve young people in the game of basketball and to teach them the game from an early age to allow them to develop their basketball skills and to grow to learn the game and to fulfil their potential in sports.”
“You see the logos of the junior NBA here are here today, and I want to point out that the logo includes the logo of the NBA which is a world-class men’s professional league as well as the logo of the WNBA the Women’s National Basketball Association which is the best professional basketball league for women. And so today I’m very pleased to see all the young girls and women who are here today, this court is your court as well and you should use it and enjoy it as much as the boys do” –Victor Williams, CEO of NBA Africa
- Related story:NBA Africa in Conjunction With FERWABA Complete A Successful Basketball Clinic At Rwamagana
The opening ceremony came hours before the UGB took the court against Orion for the first Rwanda Basketball League game hosted by the facility. It was an honor for UGB to open the court because of their Lycée de Kigali roots (UGB was founded in Lycée de Kigali). They did not take anything for granted as they defeated Orion 66–63.
The 1500-seat facility has been under construction since October 2022 thanks to a collaboration between NBA Africa and Rwanda Basketball Federation. It cost estimably 200 M Rwandan Francs
