Rwandan youth have over the years been afforded many life-changing opportunities, ranging from education and entrepreneurship to business and sporting and entertainment areas. Indeed few of them have grabbed some of these opportunities with both hands and have been able to change their lives and impact their communities. But many have remained in their comfort zones and failed to take advantage of the various initiatives across the different sectors. One such latest opportunity has come in the form of basketball. United States’ National Basketball Association (NBA) and the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) have just announced a plan to launch a professional basketball league for Africa and Rwanda is one of the countries that will be participating. The Basketball Africa League, slated to get underway in January 2020, will comprise of 12 teams drawn from several countries including Angola, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia and Rwanda. The development presents a great opportunity to young Rwandans seeing as this country has proven that it has untapped potential in the sport. In addition to the growing competitiveness of country’s elite basketball league, many youngsters have continuously expressed interest in the sport, with some impressing under the Giants of Africa basketball programme launched in Rwanda in partnership with basketball legend Masai Ujiri and NBA’s Toronto Raptors. Young Rwandans benefiting from such initiatives should take these opportunities seriously by consistently investing their energy, talent, passion and time if they are to succeed. Above all, they need to be patient and disciplined. The potential is there but young people need to stand up to the plate and make the most of these opportunities. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
