East Africa University (EAUR) BBC are setting fresh ambitions as they enter their debut season in the Rwanda Basketball League (RBL). Their promotion to the top tier league came in July after they clinched the second division championship, defeating Inspired Generation 3–1 in the finals. Despite joining organised professional basketball only in 2023, EAUR have made remarkable progress, driven by deliberate investment, strong talent development programs, and a unified long-term vision shared across the club’s administration, coaching staff, and players. “Our long-term plan was about talent development. We wanted to see young talent growing in different disciplines, including basketball,” club Vice-President Blaise Bazimya told Times Sport. “The first year was about understanding how the competition works, who the players are, and how much investment is needed, since it was the first time in the university’s history to play professionally.” Bazimya explained that, after carefully assessing the basketball landscape in Rwanda, the university decided to increase its investment in the team. The impact was immediate. EAUR BBC went on to secure two trophies in a single season—the Second Division Basketball League championship and the Heroes Cup. The club also made an impressive run in the Rwanda Cup 2025, reaching the quarter-finals before being knocked out by Rwanda Energy Group (REG). For Coach Aime Imena, the team’s rise has been challenging but rewarding. “The first year in the second division was complicated, but it wasn’t a bad season. We learned a lot,” Imena admitted. “We developed our players so they could become competitive. Our ambition was to be promoted to first division, and we are happy we achieved it,” he added. But the coach remains realistic about the jump in level, admitting that the Rwanda Basketball League is way more competitive. « We’re not going there to compete with APR or REG. We’re going to learn and stay for many years. Those teams have huge resources. We want to build steadily,” said Imena, emphasizing on supporting student-athletes on and off the court. “Most of our players are students. We make sure they have tuition, accommodation, and food covered so they can stay focused on basketball.” For club shooting guard Beni Ruben Cyiza Ndayishimiye, the promotion to the top division represents more than just a team milestone—it's a deeply personal achievement in his development as a player. Honestly, the promotion to Rwanda Basketball League meant everything to me. It’s the kind of moment you dream about as a player, knowing the work you put in actually took you somewhere. For me, it’s validation, but also motivation. It showed me that I belong at a higher level, and it pushed me to raise my standard even more,” Ndayishimiye said. That promotion to first division basketball comes with a much higher level of responsibility and Ndayishimiye already understands the assignment. “I have to be locked in every single day, train harder both physically and fundamentally, and focus on preparation to deliver the desired outcomes.” “Both the people around me and our team expect consistency at this level, so there’s no room for casual performances anymore, he added. Journey ahead EAUR BBC are already active in the transfer market as they prepare for their first season in the topflight. According to Bazimya, the club expects to announce four new signings, including international players, in the coming days. The team is also aiming to capitalize on home advantage, with plans to host its home games at the university’s own basketball court in Kicukiro, a move they believe will strengthen their competitiveness and fan support. “Having our own facilities is big news. The only thing we’re missing is a gym, which needs heavy investment, but this is a strong beginning,” Bazimya said. Budget wise, the club is cautious but ambitious. “We are not a financially stable club that can invest like $2 million at once. We are progressing step by step. Budget is not the issue, the real question is where do you want to go?” he explained. EAUR BBC have now set a target for themselves to finish in sixth place on their debut season in the Rwanda Basketball League. « Anything below that is not our level, » declared Imena.
