Rwandan Energy Group (REG), on Tuesday embarked on intensive preparation for the regular season of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) 2023 due from March 11-21 at Dakar Arena in Senegal.

REG were drawn in the Sahara Conference group phase alongside defending champions US-Monastir of Tunisia, Kwara Falcons (Nigeria), Abidjan Basket Club (Côte d'Ivoire) AS Douanes (Senegal) and Stade Malien (Mali).

Times Sports understands that the local powerhouse has began intensive training until February 25, which will be followed by a residential camp training before departing for Dakar, in March, just few days before the tip off.

Last season, Rwanda Energy Group (REG) clinched the 2022 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Sahara conference title after beating Ferroviario da Beira 94-89, which saw the team advance to the playoffs.

The team, however, suffered a shock elimination from the quarter-finals at the hands of Forces Armées et Police (FAP) Basketball, a Cameroonian side that had finished fourth in the Nile Conference.

Players in training so far:

Pascal Niyonkuru, Prince Muhizi, Beleck Bell Engelbert, Pitchou Manga, Ntore Habimana, Adonis Filer, Dieudonne Ndizeye, Olivier Shyaka and Jean de Dieu Umuhoza.