Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire has urged young athletes across Africa to embrace sports as a powerful tool for building character and shaping their identity. She made the remarks while addressing 34 female athletes at the Lycée de Kigali Gymnasium during the opening of the second edition of the BAL4HER camp, a week-long basketball development initiative organised alongside the Basketball Africa League (BAL) playoffs. Running from May 23 to 28, the camp is part of the BAL playoff side events taking place in Kigali through May 31. It has brought together participants aged between 18 and 28 from several African countries. The opening ceremony attracted prominent figures from the basketball world, including FIBA Hall of Fame Class of 2026 inductee Clarisse Machanguana, former WNBA player and current BAL ambassador Chiney Ogwumike, and BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall. Mukazayire encouraged the athletes to make the most of the growing opportunities in women’s sports by developing discipline, leadership, and self-belief. “Sport builds character. It should become part of your identity,” she said. “Young women should recognise that opportunities like these were not available before. We already have the ability within ourselves to excel, and moments like this camp are not only about personal growth, but also about becoming pioneers for the next generation.” The opening day featured intensive training sessions focused on endurance, speed, and tactical development under experienced coaches, including former Rwanda national team head coach Cheikh Sarr, who currently leads Senegal’s national basketball team and is overseeing the camp. According to Sarr, 20 athletes will be selected from the camp to participate in a showcase game on the final day, while a few standout players will be monitored over the next year as part of a talent identification programme aimed at helping athletes secure sports scholarships. “This programme started in Senegal, and our goal is to create a clear pathway for women to access the same standards and opportunities currently available to men in basketball,” Sarr said. Ramla Umunezero, a Rwandan point guard for REG Women Basketball Club, described the initiative as an important platform for young African players. “Here, we are making new friends, and learning from experienced players from across Africa will help improve our mentality and approach to the game,” she said.
