The prize money meant to be awarded to the winning team of this year’s All-Star game will instead go to Meshack Rwampungu, an ex-player who lives with disability that he sustained in a car accident. The match will take place on Saturday, November 20, bringing together top players from the domestic league, organised in two different playing against each other. According to the Rwanda Basketball Federation (Ferwaba), the winning team were meant to get Rwf 1 million as prize money, however, he noted that it has been agreed upon with the captains of both teams that the money will instead be given to Rwampungu. Rwampungu, a former player of Kigali Basketball Club (KBC) was involved in a fatal bus accident along with fellow players of the club in 2015, while traveling to Huye district for a game against the University of Rwanda. Their bus collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction, a grisly accident that killed 13, including KBC’s popular player at the time Jean Guy Rutayisire. At least 15 passengers were injured, including Rwampungu who sustained a disability in his back that would not only end his basketball career, but also meant that he would later need a wheelchair to be able to move around. The 28-year old now runs a Barber shop in Kigali. The selected squads for the 2021 All-star game will be captained by Patriot’s small forward Dieudonné Ndizeye and Rwanda Energy Group (REG)’s shooting guard Olivier Shyaka. Meanwhile, the All-star game will also feature a three-point and slam dunk contest, and the winners of this will be awarded Rwf 500,000 each. Team Dieudonné Ndizeye: Dieudonné Ndizeye (Patriots), Guibert Nijimbere (Patriots), Elia kaje (REG), Prince Muhizi (REG), Bello Nkanira (IPRC Kigali BBC), Bruno Nyamwasa (IPRC Kigali BBC), Espoir Aganze (UGB), Pascal Niyonkuru (REG), Victoire Mutabaruka (IPRC Kigali BBC), Aristide Mugabe (Patriots), Frank Kamndoh Betoudji (Shoot For The Stars) and Thierry Nkundwa (APR). Team Olivier Shyaka: Olivier Shyaka (REG) Jean Jacques Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza (REG), Bush Wamukota Patriots, Beleck Bell Engelbert (REG), Armel Sangwe (APR), Fortunate Mwanabene (30 PLUS BBC), Sedar Sagamba (Patriots), Brain Mbanze (RP-IPRC Huye BBC), Eric Muhayemukiza (IPRC Kigali BBC), Benit Nijimbere (IPRC Kigali BBC), Bienvenue Niyonsaba (Patriots), Ally Kubwimana from (REG).
