Coach Gael, real name Gael Karomba, a well-known investor in Rwanda’s music industry and founder of the 1:55 AM record label which houses popular artistes such as Bruce Melodie, has expressed his intention to buy a local basketball team for the upcoming season. This follows his attendance at the third game of the best-of-seven playoff final which saw APR defeat REG BBC with a score of 80-75 at the BK Arena on Wednesday night, September 6. During halftime, Gael was challenged to make a three-pointer but missed. Responding to social media criticism of his basketball skills and calls to never attend another game at the arena, the esteemed businessman declared that he would demonstrate his passion for the sport by “purchasing a team next season”. “After such a failure at the arena, which was not my fault... Many people said that I should not go back to the arena to watch basketball. Now I have decided to buy a basketball team next season. What do you think?” Coach Gael wrote on Twitter. Coach Gael has a history of investing millions in Rwanda. His most recent endeavour involves leasing the rooftop of the CHIC building to transform it into an entertainment hub, with the goal of enhancing Rwanda's creative sector. The construction of the hub, dubbed Blue Sky Park Arena, will reportedly cost over $700,000 (approx. Rwf700m). Coach Gael recently signed Element, one of Rwanda's biggest producers, to the 1:55 AM label, and purportedly paid him Rwf 15 million for the transfer. Coach Gael also fully sponsored The Ben's collaboration with Tanzanian star Diamond Platnumz, which cost him over $70,000. He is currently the biggest investor in Rwanda's music industry, pouring millions into the sector, a move that has brought so much attention to his name.
