Sports Minister Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju has hailed NBA Africa’s continued commitment to support infrastructure projects aimed at promoting the basketball game in Rwanda. Munyangaju made the remarks on Friday, February 10, during the inauguration of the revamped Lycee de Kigali gymnasium. The 1500-seat facility was since October 2022 constructed through a partnership between NBA Africa and Rwanda’s basketball governing body (FERWABA), and is expected to benefit thousands of youths from Kigali and surrounding communities, as well as professional basketball players. Various dignitaries – both local and international, convened at the school for the official unveiling of the facility which is expected to benefit more than 4,000 youth from Kigali and the surrounding communities. Speaking at the launch, Munyangaju said that Rwanda is grateful for the trust and continued commitment from partners like NBA Africa, which are playing a role in taking Rwandan basketball to a new level. “We strongly value the partnership with NBA Africa, which has made it possible to celebrate the milestone today and we are happy that its fruits are clear to the Rwandan community,” she said. “This gymnasium and the support you provided is a clear demonstration of your belief in the potential of our young basketballers,” she added. On behalf of the government of Rwanda, Munyangaju pledged to take good care of the facility so that it serves “its purpose to the fullest”, calling upon youngsters to work hard, learn from their seniors who will be playing league matches at the court and try to reach the top. NBA Africa CEO, Victor Williams, said the refurbished court is a significant example of the growing basketball infrastructure, not just in Rwanda, but also a model for what can be done across the African continent. “I want to say that we could not have accomplished this without the tremendous partnership that we have with the government, through both the Ministry of Sports and Ministry of Education, the Rwanda Basketball Federation and the school,” Williams said. “To do something like this requires a lot of collaboration and hard work” “I want to say that the infrastructure is important, but more important is the ability The new court builds on NBA Africa’s previous youth development programming in Rwanda, including Jr. NBA camps and clinics that integrate life-skills seminars focused on health and wellness, leadership development, teamwork and communication, and will serve as the hub for the ongoing and future Jr. NBA programs in Kigali. Desire Mugwiza, the President of Ferwaba, tipped the project to strengthen the ongoing partnership between NBA Africa and the federation and provide top-notch infrastructure for talented and aspiring basketball players to showcase their skills. “We have made it our utter responsibility with the support of our partners to continue investing in court infrastructure development until the basketball of Rwanda soars to greater heights. This is just the beginning,” Mugwiza said.
