Rwanda will later this week host the finals of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), where eight elite teams from different countries will tussle it out for the continental showpiece that is to be hosted at Kigali Arena. This is the second time Rwanda is hosting BAL games, having successfully played host to the inaugural season last year, albeit in the middle of a pandemic. Even with the Covid-19 pandemic that was occasioned by movement restrictions and limitations in social interaction, the games last year still managed to create a buzz around the continent. We saw hundreds of people thronging Kigali from different countries to witness the inaugural tournament that is held in partnership with the mighty National Basketball Association (NBA). With the restrictions eased and the Kigali Arena back to its full seating capacity, we expect more guests here to watch the games and that is what government targeted under its strategy to promote sports tourism as part of the bigger menu under the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) strategy. The games are happening a few weeks to Rwanda hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that is expected to attract over 5,000 delegates during the week starting on June 20th. All these events, plus many more on the national calendar should be milked to the maximum by the local business community. However this requires strategy. People need to position themselves in a way that they tap into this opportunity. However, if we are to gain meaningfully from such events, we need to up our game especially in areas where red flags have been raised, including service, mainly within the hospitality sector. Having all these people here creates multi-faceted opportunities. For instance, you want people who got good experience to return next time with their loved ones. But to do so, you must make their experience memorable. It is therefore highly critical that we improve and make the most of these events.
