PHOTOS: How Kigali celebrated Rwanda’s first BAL championship

Thousands of basketball and music fans filled the Kigali Convention Centre (KCC) Roundabout on Saturday, June 13, as RSSB Tigers marked their historic Basketball Africa League (BAL) championship with a victory parade and an open-air concert celebrating the club's place in Rwandan basketball history. The celebrations began with a trophy parade from Club Rafiki, winding through Nyamirambo, Downtown, Remera-Gisimenti and Gishushu before arriving at KCC Roundabout. View this post on Instagram The BAL trophy rode in the lead vehicle, followed by a convoy carrying players, coaches, club officials and supporters. Crowds lined the streets throughout the route, waving flags, cheering and applauding as the champions passed by. The celebration honored RSSB Tigers' 90-88 victory over Petro de Luanda in the BAL final, making the club the first from Rwanda to win Africa's premier club basketball competition. View this post on Instagram Speaking to The New Times, head coach Henry Mwinuka said the title represents years of persistence and serves as motivation for the next generation of players. This title means a lot, not only for our team but also for Rwanda and the young players who dream of becoming professional basketball players, Mwinuka said. I have seen this journey from 2015 until now. For many seasons we struggled to reach the semifinals and finals, but this year we made it all the way and won. It should encourage young players to believe that through hard work, anything is possible. Mwinuka said the achievement also raises expectations for the future, adding that sustained investment and planning will be essential if the club hopes to remain among Africa's top teams. For RSSB Tigers to win the BAL means a lot. Last year many people did not expect us to reach this level, but today we are champions. We need strong programmes and good organisation if we want to continue competing at the highest level and defend this title in the future. By the time the parade reached KCC Roundabout, the sporting celebration had transformed into a concert. View this post on Instagram Hosted by MC Tino and Anita Pendo, both wearing RSSB Tigers jerseys, the event blended basketball with live music as thousands of fans gathered around the stage. Bulldogg and Angel Mutoni opened the performances with a song dedicated to the team's championship run before Bulldogg continued with fan favorites including 'Puta' and 'Umusaza.' Kenny Sol followed with 'Ikinyafu,' drawing loud singalongs from the crowd. View this post on Instagram One of the night's defining moments came when the RSSB Tigers squad walked onto the stage carrying the BAL trophy. Fans rose to their feet, singing, waving Rwandan flags and chanting as players lifted the silverware above their heads. The celebration grew louder when players and supporters joined together to sing 'Insinzi Bana b'u Rwanda,' turning the concert into a tribute to a victory that resonated well beyond basketball. View this post on Instagram Team captain Axel Mpoyo thanked supporters for standing with the club throughout its championship campaign. We are very happy that you have been with us throughout this journey, he said. This trophy does not belong only to the players and staff of RSSB Tigers. It also belongs to our fans. We promise to continue working hard and fighting for more success. The music continued with Ariel Wayz performing 'You Should Go' and 'Agasinye,' while Juno Kizigenza kept the momentum going with 'Yaraje,' 'Birenze' and 'Kirigute.' View this post on Instagram Kivumbi King closed the concert with performances that kept fans dancing late into the evening. Throughout the night, basketball jerseys mixed with concert attire as supporters celebrated a moment that many described as 'larger than a sporting achievement.' Families, young fans and longtime followers of the club sang along with performers, posed for photographs with the trophy and relived highlights from the championship run. The celebrations concluded with a fireworks display above the Kigali Convention Centre, bringing to a close a day that united sport, music and thousands of supporters around a milestone for Rwandan basketball. View this post on Instagram

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PHOTOS: How Kigali celebrated Rwanda’s first BAL championship