Rwanda minister of Sports and Culture, Joseph Habineza gave a thumb-up to the Rwanda Basketball Federation, FERWABA and hosting club APR Lions basketball club of Kigali for the smooth hosting of the final round of the just concluded 24th FIBA Africa Champions Club for Men held between December 13 and 22.
The minister who was over joy with the organization and the performance of the APR lions side in the competition declared the government support for future basketball championship.
Habineza gave an indication during a reception put together by the Basketball Federation that the Rwandan Government will assist the federation to achieve its aim of bidding and hosting the 2013 Africa biggest basketball competition - The FIBA Africa Championship for Men (CAN) by building an ultra modern basketball gymnasium to compliment the existing sports hall at the Amahoro stadium.
"I am delighted that FIBA Africa gave the hosting of this competition to the Rwanda Basketball Federation and the Rwanda people and I want to say a big thank you to the continental body for entrusting with the organization of the competition.
“I also want to thanked the basketball federation under the leadership of Eric Kalisa for a job well-done and the APR Lions team for representing us well in the competition by finishing third best club-side in Africa.
“I want to assure FIBA Africa that the people and government of Rwanda is solidly behind the Rwanda Federation in hosting future tournament and we are set to build a bigger gymnasium that will be dedicated to basketball alone, the minister concluded.
….. As Rwanda bid for 2010 FIBA Africa U18 for Men
And with the success in hosting the 24th FIBA Africa Champions Club for Men Rwanda through its Basketball Federation is bidding to stage the next edition of the FIBA Africa Championship for U18 Men in 2010.
This disclosure was made by the East Africa country Sports and Culture Minister, Joseph Habineza who charged the Rwanda Basketball Federation president, Eric Kalisa and his members to forward a bid for the championship to FIBA Africa for consideration.
The minister says he is confident the Rwanda federation will not disappoint in the organization of the cadet tournament.
According to the minister, “staging more continental and regional championship will help to boost our basketball and prepared us to stage the biggest event in 2013.
FERWABA president, Kalisa who expresses joy at the minister statement and the Rwandan government backing of it activities promise FIBA Africa that his federation will not let down the confidence repose in his federation in staging a befitting U18 championship if considered.
Kalisa says the hosting of the 2009 FIBA Africa biggest club competition has served as an eye opener to the federation and they are prepared to keep learning and improving so as to get the stage of perfection.