For many, basketball is simply a sport. For Game On Rwanda, however, it has become a tool for education, employment and community transformation. As the organisation hosts the inaugural East African Corporate League from August 8–14, its leadership says the regional competition is just one part of a broader mission that has evolved over more than a decade. Speaking during the launch of the tournament earlier this week, Game On Rwanda Chief Executive Officer Jean Paul Hirwa said the organisation’s vision extends well beyond organising competitions. “Our goal is not just basketball. We want to create opportunities, impact communities and contribute to national development,” Hirwa said. One of the challenges facing many talented basketball players, according to Hirwa, is finding opportunities after school or after their professional careers. ALSO READ: Rwanda placed in Group C in U18 Afrobasket While only a limited number of athletes can continue playing in Rwanda’s top division, many remain capable of competing at a high level. Game On believes corporate basketball can provide an alternative pathway. “The (Rwanda Basketball) federation cannot accommodate everyone in Division One. Through corporate basketball, players can continue competing while also accessing employment opportunities,” Hirwa said. He noted that professionals working in banks, private companies and public institutions have continued to play competitive basketball through the Rwanda Corporate League, which is now entering its third season. Among them is Rwanda Energy Group (REG) star Olivier Shyaka, who works for Bank of Kigali while playing in the Game On Rwanda Corporate League. The league has also created a networking platform where companies use sport to promote employee wellness and teamwork, while giving talented athletes an opportunity to remain active and competitive. Recognising basketball pioneers Another key pillar of Game On’s mission is preserving the history of Rwandan basketball. Hirwa believes the sport has benefited from numerous pioneers whose contributions often go unrecognised after retirement. “One of our objectives is to honour those who have contributed significantly to the development of basketball while also inspiring future generations,” he said. He argued that recognising former players, coaches and administrators is essential to preserving the sport’s legacy and motivating young athletes. Using basketball to change lives Beyond elite competition, Game On has increasingly invested in community initiatives. Among its flagship programmes is Zero Out of School, an initiative that identified 147 children who had dropped out of school and used basketball as a pathway to reconnect them with education. According to Hirwa, the programme demonstrates the potential of sport as a powerful tool for social development. “We managed to bring them back to school through basketball. It shows that basketball can do much more than what happens on the court.” He believes sport should play a role in addressing broader social challenges while promoting discipline, teamwork and education. Taking corporate basketball beyond Rwanda Game On is also looking beyond Rwanda’s borders. Although the inaugural East African Corporate League features teams from Rwanda and Kenya, discussions have already taken place with Uganda and Tanzania. Hirwa hopes more countries will join future editions before the competition eventually grows into an African Corporate League. “We Africans can do this. We should not wait for foreigners to do everything for us. We need to support one another and build opportunities here in Africa.” He believes greater regional collaboration can strengthen basketball development while creating new opportunities for players, coaches and sports administrators across the continent. MVP ready for another challenge Among those who have witnessed the growth of corporate basketball is Bank of Kigali’s Olivier Shyaka, who has been named the Rwanda Corporate League’s Most Valuable Player in each of the past two seasons. The experienced guard believes the competition has become an important part of Rwanda’s basketball ecosystem. “The league keeps growing every year. It has become very competitive, and we are excited to represent Rwanda in this regional competition.” As the East African Corporate League gets underway, organisers hope the tournament will do more than crown a champion. They want it to demonstrate how basketball can drive careers, education, networking and community development across the region. The format The inaugural Game On East African Corporate League has brought together four teams, with two competing in the men’s category and two in the women’s competition. In the women’s category, Rwanda’s National Institute of Statistics (NISR) will face Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), while KPA will also compete in the men’s category against Rwanda’s Bank of Kigali. The teams will contest best-of-three series, with the first team to secure two victories crowned champions.
