Weekend sport list: Handball titans clash, WBLA quarterfinals unfold

As the weekend starts, sports activities are lined up to entertain fans in various disciplines. In basketball, Rwanda’s representatives at the FIBA Women’s Basketball League Africa 2025 (WBLA), APR and Rwanda Energy Group (REG) have both secured their places in the quarterfinals after impressive performances in the group stage. In this article, Weekend Sport brings you a full guide to the key sports events to watch. Handball league title rivals meet again After losing the 2024/25 league title to Police HC, APR HC will renew their rivalry with Police on Friday, December 12, in a highly anticipated derby that will close Phase 1 of the national handball league. Both teams enter the tie level on 12 points, each boasting six wins from six games, meaning the winner will automatically finish Phase 1 at the top of the standings. The clash comes shortly after their meeting in the Coupe du Rwanda final, where APR defeated Police 28–25. Despite Police’s recent setback, the last ten head-to-head meetings show perfect balance, with both sides recording five victories each. APR, REG eye WBLA quarterfinal advancement Having qualified from Zone 5 to reach the continental stage, Rwanda’s two representatives at the WBLA are now preparing for the quarterfinal round this weekend. APR, drawn in Group C, secured their quarterfinal spot after defeating CNSS of DR Congo 89–66, a victory that placed them second in the group with five points, one behind leaders ASC Ville de Dakar of Senegal, with both teams advancing to the knockout stage. ALSO READ: What to know about women's club championship in Cairo REG had already punched their ticket to the quarterfinals on Wednesday after a commanding 81–53 win over Friend’s Basketball Association of Ivory Coast in their final Group A match, progressing alongside Al Ahly of Egypt and Sporting Clube de Luanda of Angola, with all three teams advancing from Group A. In Group B, Ferroviario de Maputo of Mozambique topped the standings with six points, followed by Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) with five points. APR will face KPA on Friday at 5pm, while REG will play ASC Ville de Dakar earlier at 1:30 PM, with all matches streamed live on the FIBA Basketball YouTube channel. Rayon Sports return to Bugesera after missed title chance As the Rwanda Premier League enters Match Day 11 of the 2025/26 season, fans are eagerly awaiting Rayon Sports’ clash with Bugesera FC, scheduled for Sunday at 3pm with Bugesera playing at home. In the final stretch of last season, Rayon failed to secure a crucial win that could have kept their title hopes alive at the same venue, with the match eventually called off in the 60th minute after Rayon fans protested against refereeing decisions. Other fixtures to watch include Gorilla FC versus APR FC, whose meeting last season ended in a forfeit due to APR exceeding foreign-player limits. They will rematch on Sunday at Kigali Pele Stadium. Police FC will also face Gasogi United on Friday at 3 pm to open the weekend’s football action. ALSO READ: How could Al Hilal, Al-Merrikh transform Rwandan football? Amahoro Stadium parking to host final Youth Racing Cup edition The Youth Racing Cup, a grassroots cycling competition for riders aged 12 to 19, will hold its 10th and final edition on Sunday at the Amahoro Stadium parking lot. Next year, the event is expected to expand to include more districts beyond Bugesera, Kigali, and Rwamagana. The edition will attract 356 riders who will compete across five age categories Pupilles (U11), Benjamins (U13), Minimes (U15), Cadets (U17), and Juniors (U19). ALSO READ: Izabayo, Irakoze emerge victorious in Rwamagana Defending champions Immaculée Izabayo of Bugesera Cycling Team and Ferguson Irakoze of Kayonza Cycling Club will both be looking to retain their titles in the U19 categories as the competition concludes an important chapter in youth cycling development.