PHOTOS: Ultra-modern ‘Kigali Universe’ complex to open in May

At least 1,000 people will be able to enjoy different sports and entertainment activities at the ‘Kigali Universe’ complex when it opens operations in May. Businessman Gael Karomba, also known in the showbiz industry as Coach Gael, has invested approximately $1.5 million (about Rwf2 billion) on the construction of the facility which sits on over 6000 square meters at CHIC building rooftop in the outskirts of the Central Business District (CBD) in Nyarugenge District. ALSO READ: Top four investors in Rwanda’s music industry Coach Gael told The New Times the idea to create Kigali Universe is in line with Rwanda’s vision of positioning itself as the sports and entertainment hub of Africa, through constructing facilities that can attract big numbers of people and generate diverse tourism income for the nation. “The reason why I got interested in building this rooftop facility is because of the passion I have for entertainment and sports, as well as my country’s vision of establishing itself as a potential alternative tourism destination. I have also seen so many facilities like this abroad and felt the need to create a similar one in my home country,” the investor said in an interview. “We are seeing a lot of things happening here, big companies like Move Afrika, BAL, Giants of Africa coming to Rwanda and we buy ideas from these to bring such a facility like this,” he added. Kigali Universe will have a variety of indoors sports facilities such as 5x5 international standard football pitch, 3x3 basketball court that will sometimes be turned into a boxing and UFC ring, bowling, programmed modern gym with e-biking and so forth. Other features include indoors golf and tennis, simulation lights and speed hockey among many other arcade games and video games. Some parts of the facility will be reserved for business rentals, coffee shops, sports pharmacy and sportswear shops, restaurants, bars and VVIP suites among others. On the front side of the complex, there is a 50m2 giant screen which will be used for advertising purposes. Kigali Universe comes at an opportune time when event planners had for a while been complaining about the absence of affordable venues to host small events in the city. “We will be hosting acoustic concerts, game nights, and many other interesting events, and this is for all, whether the entertainment community or sports people,” Coach Gael noted. Asked if the place will not face noise pollution challenges as previous ones, Gael assured that there won’t be such issues since the facility is built in a non-residential area surrounded by only commercial buildings. “Most activities in town close at 6pm here and it’s not a residential area. Again this is not a club; it’s about sports and entertainment. However, we will work closely with the City of Kigali to avoid making any sort of mistakes,” said. This is one of many other big projects that the investor, alongside his partner Bruce Melodie, are injecting in money to transform Rwanda’s sports and entertainment industry which is currently on the rise. ALSO READ: It's a 'forever' deal, investor coach Gael on Bruce Melodie's partnership with UGB The two, earlier this year, ventured into sports by financing local basketball side United Generation (UGB), in what they described as ‘making music meet sports in Rwanda’. Kigali Universe is expected to cost over $1.5 million (about Rwf2bn) after completion. The first phase will be launched in May and it will be followed by the second phase which will completed in July when the facility will be fully operational, tentatively 24 hours, seven days. The facility could generate jobs for over 90 people in the first phase which opens in May.

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PHOTOS: Ultra-modern ‘Kigali Universe’ complex to open in May