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The 2024/2025 Rwanda Volleyball National League serves off this Friday.

Rwanda Volleyball National League
The 2024/2025 Rwanda Volleyball National League will begin on Friday, October 18, with an intriguing match between REG VC and Police VC at Petit Stade.

The wait is over as the new volleyball season spikes off in style.Teams have bolstered their rosters, referees have been re-instructed, and with modern venues available, fans are eager for an exciting showdown to see who can dethrone the Army teams.

The Rwanda Volleyball Federation (FRVB) revealed that the regular season will be split into two parts of six rounds each, and run between October 18 and March 1, 2025.

Seven teams in the men’s category will be playing two games each round (weekend), with most of the games taking place in Kigali. RP-IPRC Musanze and Kirehe VB are nowhere to be seen in the fixtures.

In the women’s category, Kepler, under the stewardship of Florien Siborurema, will be competing in their maiden season, following a second-place finish for their men’s team in its inaugural season.

RP-IPRC Huye Women’s team will return to the top-flight league following a season of absence. Along with other newcomers Kepler and Wisdom, they will complete the eight teams in the women’s category.

Last season’s playoff finalists, Kepler and Police VC, who finished third, will battle in what promises to be a thrilling league opener at 8 p.m. Prior to this clash, at 6 p.m., the debutants, Kepler Women VC, will take on the former champions, RRA.

The opening rounds in both men’s and women’s categories will take place this Friday, October 18, at Amahoro Indoor Stadium “Petit Stade”.

The Rwanda Volleyball National League reigning champions, APR, in both categories will not start their title defense this weekend, as they are away in Tanzania, where they proudly represented the country and emerged victorious.

Rwanda Volleyball National League
Fans can look forward to an action-packed start as the last season the volleyball fraternity struggled with a shortage of suitable venues and provide enough space for fans

2025 AFCON Qualifiers: Rwanda came from behind to beat Benin at Amahoro.

Rwanda’s national football team, Amavubi, staged a thrilling comeback to defeat Benin 2-1 in the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers, marking their first win at the newly renovated Amahoro Stadium. 

Rwanda trailed 1-0 at halftime after Edwin Hountondji’s goal. Coach Torsten Spittler’s substitution of Bosco Ruboneka for Jojea Kwizera created space for Captain Bizimana and the team, leading to a successful comeback.

2025 AFCON Qualifiers
Innocent Nshuti is currently the leading scorer for Rwanda, with 2 goals in the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers.

In the second half, Rwanda dominated possession, and in the 70th minute, a long pass from Djihadi Bizimana found Emmanuel Imanishimwe in the box, who assisted Innocent Nshuti to equalize with a well-placed shot.

A minute later, Djihadi Bizimana, who was arguably the man of the match, was fouled in the box and confidently converted the penelty to complete the comeback.

This victory not only breaks a 13-year winless streak against Benin but also revitalizes Rwanda’s hopes in this campaign as it comes in response to a 3-0 defeat to the same opponent four days ago.

The last time Rwanda defeated Benin was October 2011, when Meddie Kagere scored a lone goal on his international debut to secure a 1-0 victory in the 2012 AFCON Qualifiers match held in Cotonou.

With 5 points, Rwanda now sits two points behind leaders Nigeria and one point behind Benin, while maintaining a four-point cushion above Libya, who are at the bottom of the group.

Rwanda’s next challenge will be against Libya on November 14 at Amahoro Stadium, before playing the group D final game away in Nigeria.

2025 AFCON Qualifiers
Rwanda started XI against Benin: Clement Nigena (14) , Omborenga Fitina (13), Emmanuel Imanishimwe (3), Bonheur Mugisha (15), Innocent Nshuti (19), Ange Jimmy Mutsinzi (5), Gilbert Mugisha (12), Jojea Kwizera (22), Fiacre Ntwari (18,GK), Samuel Gueulette Leopold Marie (8), and Djihadi Bizimana (C, 4)

2024 RBL Playoffs MVP Isaiah Jaleel Miller signs with an NBA franchise.

Isaiah Jaleel Miller
Former APR BBC guard and 2024 Rwanda Basketball League Playoffs Finals MVP Isaiah Jaleel Miller joined the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday, bringing the franchise’s offseason roster to 21 players.

 

On Sunday, October 13, the Texas-based franchise signed Rwanda’s current Most Valuable Player after waiving Ghanian Nathan Mensah.

The release of the 26-year-old Ghanian center has left Spurs with a trimmed offseason roster of 20 players, prompting them to sign another 26-year-old to bring the roster back to 21.

Isaiah Jaleel Miller joins the five-time NBA champions after a three-month short stint with Rwanda’s champions, where he led the army team to back-to-back league titles and crowned the playoffs MVP.

Miller averaged 20.4 points, 3.3 assists, and 5.3 rebounds in the recently concluded Rwanda Basketball League Playoffs Finals.

He Also scored a game-high 43 points against REG BBC, helping his APR team clinch the inaugural Rwanda Cup.

Having previously signed three training camp contracts with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Utah Jazz, and Portland Trail Blazers, the fast-paced guard born in Covington is no stranger to this situation.

Isaiah Jaleel Miller will need to work hard to secure a spot on the 15-man roster for the franchise’s NBA season.

Before signing Miller, the Spurs had one two-way slot open and three players on training camp contracts.

The 2024 APR leading scorer faces a significant challenge in making the final roster, as the Spurs have other point guards, including the seasoned Chris Paul. However, he can still join the Austin Spurs in the G League on a two-way contract if he’s waived by the Spurs.

Isaiah Jaleel Miller

Miller will wear jersey number 23 as he joins a franchise that boasts a rich history, including the 2014 NBA Championship.

San Antonio is home to rising star Victor Wembanyama.

VISIT UGANDA GOLF LAUNCHED

Visit Uganda Golf
The launch of Visit Uganda Golf, the country’s first golfer-run business, marks a significant milestone in Uganda’s ambition to tap into the global golf tourism market.

 

This innovative platform is designed to give golfers and travellers an efficient, all-in-one solution for planning golf adventures in Uganda. Through Visit Uganda Golf, users can explore detailed profiles of each course, make real-time bookings, and gain access to additional travel services in seconds.

Kampala, Uganda: The East African nation affectionately known as the Pearl of Africa is making waves in the world of sports tourism by positioning itself as a premier golf destination. With a collection of 18 golf courses located in some of the country’s most picturesque regions, Uganda is set to become Golf’s Golden Sanctuary, combining stunning natural beauty with unique golfing experiences.

Each of Uganda’s courses is centrally situated near some of the world’s most captivating landscapes, from the towering, glacial mountains in the east and west to the lush plains teeming with wildlife. Visitors can expect sightings of majestic giraffes, mountain gorillas, lions, zebras, and a wide variety of bird species while playing rounds of golf amidst this extraordinary biodiversity.

Unlocking Uganda’s Golf Potential

At the heart of this initiative is the desire to showcase Uganda’s untapped golf potential to the international market. Farida Namatovu, Head of Public Relations at Visit Uganda Golf, emphasizes the company’s mission to foster sustainable economic growth through tourism. “Golf is a billion-dollar industry, and we are proud to bring the world’s attention to Uganda,” Namatovu stated. “Our mission is to transform the country’s economy by driving sustainable and inclusive golf tourism, attracting both avid golfers and families looking for a broader experience.”

The company has already established partnerships with various local hotels and accommodations, ranging from mid-range to premium, all of which are committed to sustainable practices. This partnership ensures that golf tourists feel right at home, whether they’re staying in eco-friendly lodges or high-end resorts. With Visit Uganda Golf, travellers can also customize their itineraries, blending golf with wildlife safaris, cultural immersions, and visits to community projects.

More Than Just Golf

Beyond its top-notch courses, Uganda offers visitors a chance to discover a unique cultural heritage and breathtaking natural wonders. From the mighty River Nile to the rich cultural traditions of Uganda’s many ethnic groups, tourists can experience a golf trip like no other—one that seamlessly combines the love for the game with adventure, conservation, and community engagement.

A unique feature of Visit Uganda Golf is its dedication to giving back. Unlike traditional tourism operators, part of the company’s profits will be reinvested into causes that benefit the local community. Namatovu highlighted several of these initiatives: “Our profits will go toward youth golf development, environmental restoration projects aimed at reducing carbon footprints, Education, health campaigns, and critical WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) programs in underserved communities.”

This reinvestment model underscores the company’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and sustainable golf industry in Uganda. The hope is that golf tourism will not only bring more visitors to the country but also foster long-term growth and development in local communities.

Aiming for Global Partnerships

Visit Uganda Golf has already begun forming key partnerships with international golf organizations and business companies like Oiyaa, positioning Uganda as a must-visit destination for golfers and business people from around the world. The company is targeting a significant number of international golfers—up to one million annually—and hopes to attract some of the top names in the sport to visit and compete on Ugandan courses.

“We are working on raising global awareness about Uganda as a golf destination,” said Namatovu. “This is more than just promoting tourism—it’s about establishing Uganda as a true golfing hub that can rival some of the world’s best-known golf regions.”

The company is already in talks with several international golf federations, tours and expects these partnerships to generate further momentum in the global market. By offering attractive packages to federations and their members, Visit Uganda Golf envisions a future where Uganda is a key stop on the global golf circuit.

The Future of Golf in Uganda

As the world’s tourism trends evolve, Uganda’s unique blend of golf, nature, and culture is poised to make the country a sought-after destination for travellers looking for an extraordinary experience. With its emphasis on sustainability, community empowerment, and high-end adventure, Visit Uganda Golf offers something that no other destination can match.

“We believe Uganda is on the cusp of becoming a major player in the global golf tourism industry,” Namatovu added. “And it’s not just about attracting golfers—it’s about sharing the beauty and diversity of our country with the world.”

With plans to expand and grow in the coming years, Visit Uganda Golf is set to open new doors, allowing more people to discover the wonders of Uganda through the lens of sport and adventure. From the novice golfer to the seasoned pro, Uganda offers an unforgettable experience that extends far beyond the greens.
For more partnerships and business development, arranging the travel plan in Uganda
Email info@visitugandagolf.com

Visit Uganda Golf has offices in both Uganda and London at The Charter Building, Chater Pl, Uxbridge UB81JG

2025 AFCON Qualifiers: FERWAFA announces revised ticket prices ahead of the Benin clash.

2025 AFCON Qualifiers
FERWAFA has introduced a reduced-price ticket scheme to boost attendance ahead of 2025 AFCON Qualifiers match between Rwanda and Benin | Photo: IGIHE
The Rwanda Football Federation, FERWAFA, has revised the ticket prices for the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers match between Rwanda and Benin, set to take place at Amahoro Stadium on Tuesday, October 15.

Rwanda faces a crucial match against Benin on October 15 in their quest to keep their 2025 AFCON hopes alive, following a humiliation defeat to the same opponent two days ago in Côte d’Ivoire.

FERWAFA has introduced a reduced-price ticket scheme to boost attendance, offering early bird tickets for just 1000 RFW for both the upper and lower bowls of Amahoro Stadium.

This is a significant reduction from the usual minimum price of 2000 RFW for the international matches.

In a statement on their social media, the local governing body for football encourages the fans to purchase tickets early, as the 1000 RFW price will revert to 2000 RWF on match day.

Amavubi are counting on a strong turnout of around 45,000 fans to help secure their first three points of the campaign.

Currently, Rwanda sits in third position with two points behind leaders Nigeria (7) and Benin (6). Libya is at the bottom of this 2025 AFCON Qualifiers Group D with only one point.

The match kicks off at 6 p.m. local time, with gates opening five hours prio

2025 AfroBasket Qualifiers: Rwanda’s Dr. Sarr announces a provisional 15-man roster

2025 Afrobasket Qualifiers
Rwanda’s head coach, Dr. Cheikh Sarr, has named a provisional 15 players, including Antino Jackson Alvarez, to start the training camp ahead of their trip to Senegal for the first window of 2025 AfroBasket Qualifiers.

 

In the 2025 AfroBasket Qualifiers pre-selected roster announced on Saturday, October 12, four new faces, including Antino Jackson Alvarez, received their first call-up to the senior national team.

Antino, a top point guard of 2024 RBL, alongside his APR new teammate Bruno Shema, Australian-based Kenny Manzi, and Alexandre Aerts, who ply his trade in Belgium, are expected to boost the team’s roster at the training camp starting November 1st.

Rwanda is pitted in Group C for the 2025 AfroBasket Qualifiers alongside Senegal, Cameroon, and Gabon.

Senegal will host the first window from November 22-24, while the venue for the second window is still to be confirmed.

There are five groups total, and the top three teams from each group will advance to join Angola, the host country, to complete the 16-team lineup for the tournament.

A provisional 15-man roster announced by Dr. Cheikh Sarr

Antino Alvarez Jackson Jr., Ntore Habimana, Alexandre Aerts, Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza, William Robeyns, Kenny Manzi, Dieudonné Ndizeye Ndayisaba, Steven Hagumintwali, Emile Galois Kazeneza, Axel Olenga Mpoyo, Bruno Shema, Prince Muhizi, Cadeaux de Dieu Furaha, Osborn Shema, and Noah Bigirumwami.

REG WBBC clinches the 2024 RBL title in a one-sided seven-game finals series.

REG
REG Women Basketball Club beat APR 71-63 to complete a four-game clean sweep over the defending champions and lift the 2024 Rwanda Women’s Basketball League title.


Rwanda Energy Group’s women’s team has, on Friday, October 11, dethroned APR in a lopsided seven-game finals series that culminated at Petit Stade, Remera.

REG’s season was nothing short of spectacular, as they finished at the top of the regular season and went on to achieve an undefeated playoff run.

With new coach Julian Martinez Alman, the team implemented significant changes that fueled a seven-game winning streak in the playoffs, including a 4-0 sweep of APR, the only team to have beaten them in the regular season.

In Game 4 against desperate APR, REG was down by 3 points at halftime (15-18, 15-15). But Julian Martinez’s team rallied back and seized control for the remainder of the game.

REG Women BBC outscored APR 19-13 in the third quarter and 22-17 in the fourth to close the series in style and clinch the league title.

Brigitte Nibishaka received the league MVP award during the post-game ceremony honoring the season’s top performers. The power forward from Groupe Scolaire Marie Reine Rwaza topped the scoring and rebounding charts, securing the accolade.

Jane Dusabe, last season’s MIP, was recognized as the best defensive player of the year. Rosine Cisse Micomyiza earned the title of best three-point shooter of the season, while Violette Uwimpuhwe was honored as the most improved player of the year.

Xavier Byukusenge was named the coach of the year for leading GS Marie Reine to the playoffs for the first time in their history.

Kristina Morgan King was undoubtedly named Playoffs MVP.

This title marked REG’s third championship in history, and they will represent Rwanda in Zone V alongside runners-up APR.

Morgan King and Destiney Philoxy dominate Game 3, and REG take a strong 3-0 series lead over APR.  

Destiney Philoxy
Morgan Kristina King and Destiney Philoxy Promise combined for 40 points in an 82-66 win over APR to put REG Women BBC just one victory away from its 3rd Rwanda Basketball League championship.

REG are up 3-0 in the Rwanda Basketball League Playoffs Finals Series and are looking to close out the series in a sweep with a win on Friday.

Morgan King and Destiney Philoxy both turned in stellar double-double performances to lead REG WBBC to a strong 3-0 series advantage over the defending champions, APR, in Wednesday night’s game at Petit Stade.

As in the previous game, REG started well, shooting 4-9 from outside the arc, while APR struggled with 0-4 in the first quarter, allowing REG to lead 24-13.

APR fought back in the second quarter, narrowing the gap and trailing by only four points at halftime.

However, Destiney Philoxy and her teammates kept applying pressure in the third and fourth quarters, outscoring APR 19-13 and 22-16 to secure a 16-point victory.

APR struggled with their long-range shooting, making only 2 of 12 attempts from three-point range, while REG shot 11-30, including 4-9 from Rosine Micomyiza.

Rwanda national team captain and REG point guard Destiney Philoxy scored 19 points on 8-18 shooting on field and recorded a game-high 11 assists in 35 minutes of play.

Destiney Philoxy
Destiney Philoxy, DP, recorded a double-double with 19 points and 11 assists to propel REG WBBC take a commanding 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven Finals series.

In addition to Philoxy’s offensive efforts, the unstoppable Morgan Kristina King contributed significantly on both ends of the floor, scoring 21 points and grabbing 15 rebounds.

For APR, Assouma Uwizeye scored 13 points, while Kamba Diakite added 12 points, with Charlotte Umugwaneza and Sifa Ineza each contributing 11 points.

The back-to-back league titles in 2021 and 2022 REG finished the regular season at the top, and their 6-0 playoff run proves their will to dethrone APR.

Game 4 is set for Friday at the same venue, Petit Stade. If REG triumphs, they will complete a clean sweep and claim the 2024 Rwanda Women’s Basketball League Championship.

REG WBBC stun APR again to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.

REG
Kristina Morgan King and Victoria Reynolds powered REG Women BBC’s 76-51 dominating victory over APR Women BBC on Sunday evening that gave REG a 2-0 lead in the Rwanda Basketball League Playoffs Finals.

 

The center Kristina Morgan King and forward Victoria Reynolds combined 48 points as the Rwanda Energy Group (REG) improved to 5-0 in the 2024 Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) Playoffs and gave themselves a chance to close out the fuming APR WBBC with wins on Wednesday and Friday.

Charles Mushumba’s frustrated team fell behind by 15 points in the first quarter, finishing at 11-26. This strong start enabled REG to build on their lead and left the army team with little chance to mount a comeback.

The 2023 RBL champions and league record title holders APR had to slow down the flying REG team in the second quarter; however, they struggled to organize their offense and hence scored again 11 points in the quarter.

Although they held REG to just 11 points, they still trailed by 15 points at the break. 22-37.

APR entered the third quarter with determination to cut the deficit. Led by Sifa Ineza, who scored 11 points—including three three-pointers—APR dominated the quarter 19-16 and fueled hopes for a strong comeback in the final period.

APR, the team that lost the first game on final possession, continued the momentum and trimmed the gap to 7 points by scoring 5 points in the first minute. However, Julian Martinez’s REG showed resilience, effectively stopping and neutralizing APR to control and dictate the game for good.

REG, the 2021 and 2022 league champions, outscored APR 23-10 in the final quarter, leaving APR with a tough challenge if they want to rebound in the series on Wednesday.

The defending champions, APR, had no answer for the electric REG duo of Kristina Morgan and Victoria Reynolds.

The game ended 76-51 behind strong individual performances from Kristina Morgan King, Victoria Reynolds, and Ange Nelly Irakoze.

Kristina Morgan King scored a game-high 25 points, grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds, and blocked 2 shots, also the most in the game.

Victoria Reynolds had an impressive offensive performance, shooting 9-13 FGs and a perfect 4-4 from the foul line to finish with 23 points. The Kenyan international also recorded 6 assists, 6 rebounds, and 5 steals in her 38 minutes on the court.

REG
Victoria Reynolds

Ange Nelly Irakoze had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds in the game. REG struggled with bench production, which contributed only 6 points.

On the losing side, Kemba Diakite scored 14 points, and Sifa Ineza added 11 points, all in the third quarter.

The teams will return on the court on Wednesday, October 9, for Game 3.

Will APR respond and stop REG’s winning streak, or will the best-of-seven series lean heavily in one direction?

All games are being held at Petit Stade.

Photos: Innocent SHEMA

Victoria Reynolds scores 20 points as REG completes a sweep of Kepler.

Victoria Reynolds
Victoria Reynolds scored 20 points as the REG WBBC beat Kepler 70-56 to complete a 3-0 series sweep and eliminate them from the semi-finals of the Rwanda Basketball League Playoffs.

On Wednesday, October 2, Kepler’s bid for the league title in their maiden season came to a halt as Victoria Reynolds and REG overwhelmed them in all three series games.

The 27-year-old Kenyan international small forward delivered an impressive performance in Game 3 of the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL) playoff semi-finals to propel REG to the finals for the fourth consecutive year.

Reynolds shot 7-12 from the field, including 3-5 from behind the arc during her 30 minutes on the court. She also went a perfect 3-3 from the free throw line, dished out 5 assists, blocked 2 shots, and grabbed 4 rebounds.

This is her first 20-point performance in the postseason, reflecting the team’s growing chemistry.

In addition to Victoria Reynolds’ good performance, Kristina Morgan King contributed a double-double with 10 points and 17 rebounds.

Victoria Reynolds
REG’s Kristina Morgan King

For Kepler, Henriette Uwimpuhwe led with a game-high 21 points, but it wasn’t enough to keep the powerful REG’s roster from sealing a 70-56 victory at Petit Stade.

Victoria Reynlods
Henriette Uwimpuhwe

Sandra Nelly Nsanzabaganwa added 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists, while defensive standout Veronica Keita Gbenakpon contributed 7 points and 18 rebounds.

Captain Umugwaneza’s big performance advances APR to their third consecutive final appearance.

Charlotte Umugwaneza delivered a towering 19-point and 20-rebounds double-double display as APR Women BBC thrashed GS Marie Reine 86-45, sweeping them and advancing to the finals to defend their crown.

Umugwaneza had no turnovers in her 20 minutes on the court.

Under the coach Charles Mushumba, the army team took control of the game from the start and maintained it through the end the third quarter, giving their key players some minutes to rest in the final quarter.

APR will compete against REG Women BBC in a best-of-seven series to crown the 2024 Rwanda Basketball League Champions and the series is set to tip off on Friday, September 4, at Petit Stade.

Photos: Innocent SHEMA