Rwanda Energy Group’s (REG) point guard Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza was on Wednesday, March 15, presented the 2022 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Ubuntu trophy, an award that recognises his contribution to the community. The 24-year-old was presented with the award during a ceremony in Dakar, Senegal. The Ubuntu Trophy celebrates one BAL player who has made an outstanding effort and impact in the community during the BAL season. The award is in recognition of his efforts with Club Rafiki (CR) in Rwanda throughout the 2022 BAL season. Nshobozwa has been working to assist the youth learn basketball at Club Rafiki in Kigali. In recognition of his efforts, the BAL will donate $5,000 to Club Rafiki, read a statement from the BAL. Nshobozwa said: I am very happy because Club Rafiki is the place from where I grew up. The fact that I am going to help the players there is something of great value. “The money will help the children get basic equipment.” Through his collaboration with Club Rafiki, Nshobozwa used the game of basketball to help children and young adults to integrate into society and discover their potential through developmental basketball programming and competitions. Nshobozwa was nominated as the Ubuntu Trophy finalist alongside Forces Armeés et Police Basketball’s (FAP) Essome Pierre and Petro de Luanda’s Lukeny Gerson. The REG point guard emerged the winner after a selection by a BAL executive panel and fans on social media. He is the second BAL player to receive the award, joining 2021 BAL Season Ubuntu Trophy winner Hichem Benayad-Cherif, who played for Groupement Sportif des Pétroliers in the inaugural BAL season. The BAL Ubuntu Trophy, which will be given out annually, recognizes a player who participated in the BAL and who best represents the league through his efforts in the community. “Ubuntu” derives from Nguni and Bantu languages and symbolizes essential human virtues, such as compassion, respect, and humanity.
