Sport and business: Meet the entrepreneurs shaping Rwanda's basketball scene

Globally, basketball, like any other professional sport, has a significant business aspect to it covering areas like ownership, sponsorship, and investment. In Rwanda, the reality is no different. Over the past couple of years, there has been a shift in the country's basketball landscape, with private investors starting to invest in clubs. Such investment comes at a substantial cost. For instance, Times Sport understands that running a basketball team in Rwanda requires annual budget ranging from Rwf 100 million to 200 million. These funds cover various expenses, including player salaries in addition to a sizable staff comprising coaches, fitness trainers, physiotherapists, logisticians, and administrators. There are also other expenses that go to team kits, training equipment, and game-day logistics. Despite such demands, there are several individual businessmen who have stepped up to invest in Rwandan basketball. In this article, Times Sport delves into the profiles of these enterprising individuals. Eugene Rubonera, 38, (Kigali Titans) Rubonera, commonly known as “Junior” is the founder and president of Kigali Titans, an ambitious new club in Rwandan basketball. A 38-year-old businessman in the pharmaceutical and real estate sectors, Rubonera has for long been passionate about basketball. Despite not playing professionally, his relationship with the sport dates back to his school days at the former School of Finance and Banking (SFB), now part of the University of Rwanda’s College of Business and Finance. Rubonera's journey into basketball administration began in 2019 when he served as the vice president of IPRC-Kigali basketball team. In 2022, seizing an opportunity presented by the introduction of the second division league by the local federation, Rubonera established his own club. Within a year of competing in the second division, Kigali Titans earned promotion to the topflight league, where they have been competing since 2023. James Mutabazi (Orion Basketball Club) James Mutabazi, the founder and president of Orion BBC, is another entrepreneur venturing into Rwandan basketball. A professional in information technology, specializing in financial software services, Mutabazi is also a public speaker and author. Just like the Kigali Titans, Orion BBC was promoted to the topflight league in 2022. The team enjoyed a commendable debut season, finishing sixth in the 2022/23 season standings. Francis Shyaka, 32, (Tigers Basketball Club) Francis Shyaka stands out as the individual owner whose team has achieved more success than those belonging to his fellows. The 32-year-old established Tigers BBC in 2019, and the club has since made significant strides, securing playoff berths on multiple occasions. Shyaka is an entrepreneur with interests in agriculture (poultry farming), transportation (car hire services), and real estate. He is also a former player who featured for teams like APR and 30 Plus. Duke Efufa (Inspired Generation Basketball Club) Cameroonian American Duke Efufa is the driving force behind Inspired Generation BBC, a new club that gained promotion to the topflight league in 2023. Efufa serves as the founder, president, and head coach of the team. He is a basketball coach dedicating to talent development and skill enhancement across all levels of the sport. Inspired Generation clinched the second-tier league title in 2023 to gain promotion to the topflight. Currently, the team is in the fifth position of the league. Bruce Melodie, 32, (Co-owner, United Generation) Renowned Rwandan musician Bruce Melodie recently ventured into basketball investment by becoming a co-owner of United Generation Basketball Club (UGB). The team has been participating in the topflight league for over a decade. Melodie is the founder of Igitangaza Music Record Label and is a brand ambassador for BK Arena. Fidele Rutagarama (Key Member, Espoir) Fidele Rutagarama, a businessman primarily involved in contracting for large infrastructure projects, is a key member and financer of Espoir Basketball Club. Established in 2003, Espoir operates with funding from a group of members. Clement Ndamage (Key Member, Patriots) Clement Ndamage, also a businessman specialising in infrastructure project contracting, holds a prominent position as one of the key members and financers of Patriots Basketball Club. Patriots, a local powerhouse, boasts four league titles to its name. Ndamage is also the president of the club.

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Sport and business: Meet the entrepreneurs shaping Rwanda's basketball scene