FIBA Africa and Rwanda formalised a hosting agreement Thursday for this year’s Women’s Afrobasket, a much-anticipated continental basketball tournament.
The 26th edition of this 12-nation competition will unfold in Rwanda’s capital Kigali from July 28 through August 6.
Rwandan Sports Minister Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju signed the agreement on behalf of the government, alongside Alphonse Bile, the FIBA Africa Region Executive Director, in Kigali.
Munyangaju emphasiSed that the tournament offers Rwanda the chance to display its commitment to both sports and gender equality.
“As a champion in promoting women’s development, Rwanda is genuinely excited and honoured to host another series of thrilling games by Africa’s top female basketball players,” she declared.
“Basketball has now integrated into Rwanda’s lifestyle, and we will ensure a memorable, world-class experience for all tournament participants,” she added, expressing hope that the competition will inspire young girls across Africa to pursue their sporting dreams.
The signing ceremony was a highlight among the side events of the ongoing Basketball Africa League (BAL) finals, set to conclude Saturday in Kigali.
“It is both an honor and a pleasure to acknowledge that, once again, Rwanda will host the paramount continental women’s competition. We anticipate it will be an exceptional tournament,” Bile stated.
Teams that have already qualified include reigning champions Nigeria, hosts Rwanda, Mali, Cameroon, Senegal, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Egypt.
The remaining spots for the biennial Women’s Afrobasket will be determined in the upcoming months via regional qualifiers.
Rwanda has hosted a slew of continental competitions in recent years, including the 2021 Afrobasket, Window 2 of the World Cup African Qualifiers, and the Final Round of the last three seasons of BAL.
