Dance, Basketball and music stole the spotlight as the inaugural edition of Kigali Streetball took place at Petit Stade Gymnasium on the weekend of July 19-20.
Sunday set Kigali’s creative and sporting scene busy as the city hosted the festival that mixed basketball, dance, rap battles, graffiti art, and skateboarding, providing a platform for Rwanda’s untapped youth talent to shine.
The event, organised by US-based Rwandan national and former radio presenter Murenzi Kamatari, aimed to challenge perceptions, unlock potential, and establish a new ecosystem for emerging creatives and athletes often overlooked by mainstream platforms.
Over 500 participants took part in the two-day celebration of urban culture. Day one was filled with competitive energy as finalists in different categories battled it out for prizes, all to the rhythm of live performances by rappers B.Threy, Trizzie 96, and Angell Mutoni, who left the crowd hyped.
Day two attracted high-level attention with a visit from Rwanda’s Minister of Sports, Nelly Mukaziyire, who praised the initiative, particularly due to safe space for connection, idolization, confidence boosting which both of them were enormous.
"It’s beautiful to see our youth creating spaces where sport, music, and creativity meet,” she said. "From the graffiti to the 3x3 games, the rap and dance battles, it was a true celebration of talent, creativity and inclusivity! Well done to the team behind it. I look forward to seeing more,” Mukazayire the youth that showed up for the event.
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The grand finale featured performances by rap households Bull Dog and Bushali, capping off the event with explosive energy that left the crowd wanting more.
The festival crowned winners in several categories, each walking away with cash prizes and renewed motivation.
Dance Battle: Goma Dance Crew from DR Congo – Rwf700,000
Slam Dunk contest: Andy Bayingana –Rwf200,000
Graffiti Art: Davy Iyamuremye – Rwf100,000
3x3 Girls Basketball: Queens – Rwf600,000
1x1 Basketball: Eric Muhayumukiza – Rwf100,000
Rap Battles: Rapper Dieudonné Ahishakiye (Young Zaki) – Rwf100,000
3x3 Boys Basketball: Satanu (Gikondo) – Rwf800,000
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Participants weigh in
Andy Bayingana, 20, took home a prize in the Slam Dunk contest. He said that the competition gave him a new understanding of how he perceived it because he thought it was just showing up and playing yet it’s more about community and bringing people closer with basketball and arts.
However, for the next year, he hopes to see young women included in the 3x3 contests.
"With streetball, there is a lot of connections. You come here and see people who have been where you are, people you look up to and people who have made it in life. This boosts your confidence and understand that not all paths are the same but you’ll eventually make it if you keep working,” he noted, commenting on the spotlight one can get and bridge the gap to his or her dream.
"The connection we built during the streetball, the connection I built personally in just a day were enormous. I know in the future, I and those guys, are going to make wonderful things happen.”
Bayingana who just graduated from high school is looking forward to joining Rwanda Basketball League season 2025-26.
"This is a motivation. I’m training hard to join Tigers BBC in Division 1 next season,” he said.
"We’re grateful for the platform. Winning in Kigali proves that dance has no borders,” said Nicholas Mutima whose crew traveled all the way from Goma for the dance battles.
"We’ve contested with dancers from Kigali, and won because we’re way far with creativity, energy, organization, preparation, and practices. It was amazing to meet them and won. We’re looking forward to come back next year.”
Murenzi, the mastermind behind the initiative said that the idea was conceived, executed and at least the last person left the court with more than just trophies but a legacy of dreams awakened and talents celebrated.
"I was so happy to see this big turnup. This was amazing but more especially of how they walked out with more understanding on ‘Streetball’. Some had no knowledge about it or very little. Thus, it was not just a competition but a movement that created opportunity and visibility for talented youth who often don’t get the spotlight. We’ve only just begun,” Murenzi noted.
"We still have room for those who didn’t get a chance to showcase their talents. Everyone is welcome and it’s best they start prepare.”