President Paul Kagame recently held a meeting with Clare Akamanzi, the CEO of NBA Africa, and Amadou Gallo Fall, to talk about the future of basketball in Africa and the upcoming tournament in May. The discussions took place in Rusororo, on the margins of a two-day government retreat focused on the nation’s development goals, chaired by Kagame himself.
During the meeting, the trio delved into the partnership between Rwanda and the Basketball Africa League (BAL), as well as the BAL finals set to be held in Kigali from May 24 to June 1, 2024. This marks the first formal interaction between President Kagame and Akamanzi since she took the helm at NBA Africa in January 2024, succeeding her role as the CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
The meeting also saw the presence of Rwanda’s Sports Minister, Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju, and RDB CEO Francis Gatare. Akamanzi, in her capacity, is tasked with expanding the NBA and basketball’s footprint across Africa, while also promoting the BAL, a collaborative effort between the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and NBA Africa.
President Kagame has been a vocal advocate for basketball’s growth within Rwanda and across the continent, supporting various initiatives to enhance the sport’s popularity. The BAL, now in its fourth season, showcases 12 club teams from across Africa and is backed by Rwanda’s ‘Visit Rwanda’ campaign.
The 2024 season, which commenced on March 9, features an expanded lineup of 48 games and three conferences, including the new Kalahari Conference hosted by South Africa. The season’s climax will see teams competing in the BK Arena in Kigali, marking the venue’s fourth consecutive year hosting the finals. Egypt’s Al Ahly, the reigning champions, will be among the teams vying for the title.
