Rwanda Basketball Federation President Desire Mugwiza has described his country’s win in the bid to host the 2021 FIBA Africa Men’s Basketball Championship (AfroBasket) as a “great honour”.
Rwanda won the rights to host the 2021 continental championship for male basketball players ahead of a strong list of candidates.
Senegal, Ivory Coast and DR Congo was in the run to host the continental tournament; Senegal was considered a strong favourite.
However, Rwanda’s ultra modern Kigali Arena that is due to be completed at the end of this month and President Paul Kigami’s passion for basketball did the trick.
Speaking to Rwanda’s “The New Times” after the announcement, Federation President Mugwiza was happy about the development stating:
“It is a great honour to win the bid to host the (Afrobasket) tournament, and I firmly believe it was well-deserved. It-Kigali Arena- could not come at a better time” he said.
The upcoming AfroBasket is the first edition since the competition switched from a biannual format to a four year format. Tunisia are defending champions.
By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter