Basketball team to compete in Mozambique tourney

Rwanda Basketball Federation has confirmed the senior national team’s participation in the Mozambique Independence tournament as the country celebrates 38 years of self-rule.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Rwanda Basketball Federation has confirmed the senior national team’s participation in the Mozambique Independence tournament as the country celebrates 38 years of self-rule.According to the federation’s Secretary General, Richard Mutabazi , the Rwandan delegation will depart for Mozambique on June 21. "This tournament will serve as a screening competition for our local players, to see who should be kept on the team that will participate in the African Basketball Championships because there are many players we expect from abroad,” said Mutabazi.National team head coach Moise Mutokambali told this paper that all his players concluded the Gisembe memorial tournament without any injuries."All the players in my plans are ok after taking part in the memorial tournament with their respective clubs. We are lucky that no one picked up an injury,” he said. Mutokambali revealed that he intends to use only local players in the Mozambique tournament so that they get more exposure to play in the international level."We are starting serious training next week and US-based Patrice Twagirayezu, who arrived in the country today (Thursday) will train with us,” stated the coach.For matters of leadership and experience, players like Espoir’s Bienvenu Ngandu and Kami Kabange, who plays for Ugandan side CP Oil will be part of the Mozambique travelling party.However, Mutokambali confirmed that the likes of Kenneth Gasana, Bradley Cameron, Daniel Rugamba, Danny Manzi and Donis Rwabugiri (USA) as well as Hamza Ruhezamihigo (Canada) are likely to be added to the squad for Afrobasket championships due in Ivory Coast in late August.