The 133th Anniversary of FIBA World Basketball Day was celebrated in Nyanza District, South Province of Rwanda, on December 14th, 2024.
This Event took place at two diffrent locations, namely Nyanza Olympafrica Youth Center and St Peter Igihozo Secondary School.
Basketball For Good is a program by the FIBA Foundation that aims to use basketball to empower, educate, and inspire youths.
The event was held under the FIBA ambassador in Rwanda, Mukamugema Fatuma.
Rwanda celebrated the International World Basketball day under the theme of promoting the principle of gender equality, equity and inclusion in sports.
It is celebrated since 1891 in recognition of the role that Basketball plays in the lives of people around the world, especially in activities that benefit the community.
This FIBA Foundation’s event of Basketball For Good was implemented in collaboration with the Rwanda Basketball Federation (Ferwaba) and Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) through its Center Nyanza Olympafrica.
The Basketball For Good festival is a platform to promote gender equality and equity, through interactive games, educational sessions and cultural showcases, to inspire participants to break stereotypes, embrace inclusivity and celebrate diversity.
A touch of Rwandan culture was enrich the experience, connecting sports with community identity and pride.
Over 150 youth and childrens aged between 7 and 18 participared actively in Basketball For Good activities while 700 other contributed as fans.
In her today’s message, Mukamugema urged the participants to strive to become good basketball players both domestically and internationally.
“You are still young, never say that this its impossible, work hard to make your dreams come true”.
“She encouraged participants in Particular Girls to work hard, because the opportunities are in their hands”.
Mukamugema concluded by thanking the good leadership of the country led by President Paul Kagame, who continues to do everything possible to advance sports in Rwanda.
In addition to Ambassador Fatuma, the International Day celebrations were attended by the Director of Nyanza Olympafrica Youth Center, Mana Jean Paul, the Director of St Peter Igihozo Secondary School, Father Robert Dushime, Parents and others.
During this event, Mana Jean Paul who was representing Rwandan National Olympic and Sports Committee, in his remarks said, “Sports are very important for the youths”.
“We will continue to do everything possible to promote sports as our responsability”, he added
Mana concluded by reminding the participants that they must strive to be characterized by Olympic values, which are: Excellence, Respect & Friendship.
The games played were attended by both Boys and Girls Basketball Teams.
In each category, two teams were formed, which faced each other, to ensure that they had fully mastered what they learnt.
The best performing teams were awarded medals, as a motivation of being the future Basketball players.
This day is usually celebrated every year on December 21, to honor the invention of basketball by Dr. James Naismith in 1891.
In Rwanda, we celebrated a week before 21 because children will be in holidays.
Youth from Kids Play from Gatagara Community were invited to be part of this Youth Festival.
- Fatuma Mukamugema’s background in Basketball
She started playing while studying in secondary school, at College Christ Roi in Nyanza District.
After completing secondary school, she continued in the University of Rwanda, Huye Campus and playing with the Ubumwe Basketball Club rather.
Currently, apart from being a FIBA Ambassador, she is one of the coaches of the Shooting Touch Team, which operates in Bugesera and Kayonza Districts in the Eastern Province.
She has participated in FIBA training courses, with Basketball for Good as one of the pillars on which the game is built.
As a FIBA Ambassador, she is also a BAL4Her mentorship program mentee. Through this progam, last year she visited Boston Celtics played in NBA where her mentor Allison Feaster works.
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