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17 February, 2020
23 February, 2021
12/10/2020
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Rwanda implements league restart measures as AfroBasket preps test

KIGALI (Rwanda) - With six weeks to the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers, the Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) has put in place strict measures for the resumption of the national league from October 16-24.

Players, their technical teams, match and table officials will undergo the coronavirus tests on Friday and immediately quarantined for 24 hours as they await their results. 

Those that will test negative will be allowed to stay in the residential bubble that will be hosted at La Palisse Nyamata (former Golden Tulip) that has been zoned off and will hold up to 256 people. Action tips off on October 18 at the Kigali Arena.

"This is an opportunity for us to prepare for the upcoming FIBA AfroBasket Qualifiers. We have 12 teams which is coincidentally the same number of teams that we shall host for the continental tournament next month," said Desire Mugwiza, FERWABA President. 

"We are currently following all Government health protocols with everyone wearing a mask, the placing of sanitisers everywhere across the venue and at the team hotel. Everyone in the bubble will not in anyway come into contact with people from the outside."

Rwanda has been commended for its efforts in combating the coronavirus and in the same spirit the same standards will be expected to be implemented with this competition. 

 

The draw ceremony of the one-week tournament will take place on October 13 at the Kigali Arena at 3:00 PM GMT+2 with team managers, coaches and the media invited to the press conference thereafter. 

FERWABA has also organised for live broadcasting of the games so that basketball fans can follow the action live as it takes place. The media will receive the game reactions via email in all forms including text, audio and game highlights. 

Mugwiza speaking at the AfroBasket Draw in December last year

With the experience of hosting several continental showpieces including the FIBA Africa Champions Cup 2009, the FIBA Africa U18 Championship 2016 and the FIBA Women's U16 African Championship 2019, Rwanda hopes to build on this platform to organise a memorable AfroBasket. 

Rwanda is the first East African nation to host the prestigious FIBA AfroBasket since Kenya hosted the 1993 edition in the capital Nairobi. 

FIBA