Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) and Sport4Change Foundation (S4CF) have officially entered into a five-year partnership to implement the “Basketball for Girls in Schools Programme (2026-2030)”, a national initiative aimed at expanding girls’ participation in Basketball while promoting life skills, well-being, and talent development across Rwanda. The programme will be implemented in up to 30 all-girls schools nationwide, combining Basketball technical development, coaching and officiating training, talent identification, mentorship, and holistic education. The partnership will officially tip-off with a 3-day Coaches Clinic, scheduled to take place at Zaria Court from January 16-18, marking the first major milestone in programme implementation. Speaking on the partnership, François Régis Gahuranyi, Executive Director of FERWABA, stated: “This collaboration strengthens our commitment to developing basketball at the grassroots level while creating structured pathways for girls to progress into clubs and national teams. Through this programme, we are investing in both sporting excellence and the future of young women in Rwanda.” Jean D’Amour Bizimana, Chief Executive Officer of Sport4Change Foundation, emphasized the broader impact of the initiative: “Basketball is a powerful tool for social change. Through this partnership with FERWABA, we aim not only to develop basketball skills, but also to empower girls with confidence, leadership, and life skills that extend far beyond the court.” Both organisations reaffirmed their commitment to jointly delivering a high-impact, sustainable programme that contributes to gender inclusion, youth development, and the long-term growth of Basketball in Rwanda. The “Basketball for Girls in Schools Programme” targets girls aged 12 to 15. The programme will focus on both girls-only schools and mixed schools with existing girls’ basketball teams, aiming to significantly increase participation, enhance skills, and open competitive pathways for young female athletes. Beginning with a one-year pilot phase in January across five selected schools in four provinces and Kigali City, the programme will progressively expand to 30 schools nationwide, with priority given to all-girls schools that are not already participating in existing initiatives such as the Junior NBA or similar programmes. By providing comprehensive training, mentorship, and structured competition, it seeks to develop a strong talent pipeline feeding into the Rwanda Women’s Basketball League, the Women’s National team, and international Basketball clubs. Core components include skills development clinics, annual elite camps, mentorship by professional athletes, coaching and officiating capacity-building, court renovations, and the provision of quality equipment. According to the officials, educational sessions will cover basketball knowledge, athlete well-being, life skills, gender inclusion, as well as creative modules introducing girls to art and fashion.
