Rwanda is ready to welcome this year’s Basketball Africa League (BAL) playoffs and final games in Kigali next month.

The road to the finals campaign continued in Cairo, Egypt on the sidelines of the Nile Conference as Rwanda promotes the destination as a hub for sports. The playoffs and finals will be held from 20-27 May at the BK Arena in Kigali.

Speaking to the media, Rwanda Development Board Chief Tourism Officer, Michaëlla  Rugwizangoga noted:

“We want Rwanda to be the destination for sports in Africa and we are very grateful for this partnership with the BAL for the past 3 years that is going very well. Visitors coming for the playoffs and finals will have the opportunity to attend the games, visit our attractions, understand our culture and heritage and see more of Rwanda. We can’t wait to welcome everyone within the next 30 days.”

On his part, the BAL President, Amadou Gallo Fall said:

“We’re excited to be going back to Kigali for the playoffs and finals. Kigali has been hosting the finals since the historic launch of the BAL in 2021. This has become our destination and we are hoping to see many people from around the continent there. It is through partnerships like this that we take people to visit African cities like Kigali, have them experience their culture while at the same time contributing to their GDPs.”

Apart from watching the games live at the 10,000-seater BK Arena, basketball fans from all over the world will have a chance to explore Rwanda’s unique and diverse tourist attractions around the country.

Resources:

• Download photos from yesterday’s event here

About the BAL x Visit Rwanda Partnership

Visit Rwanda is proud to be the official Founding and Host Partner of the Basketball Africa League.

Through the partnership, Rwanda hosted the first-ever Basketball Africa League tournament at the BK Arena in 2021 and 2022 and will host the playoffs and final games in May 2023. This unique collaboration showcases Rwanda as a world-class tourism and investment destination and positions the country as a continental hub for sporting events and sports-based tourism.

Visit Rwanda and the Basketball Africa League also collaborate on basketball and youth development initiatives.

Media Contacts

Doreen Ingabire, Head of Communications, Rwanda Development Board at communications@rdb.rw