KIGALI (Rwanda) - In a bid to prepare for the FIBA AfroBasket 2021 Qualifiers due in November, Rwanda will resume their national league in tournament format from October 16-24 at the Kigali Arena. 

The decision made after the Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) Executive Committee met on Saturday has been widely welcomed by the basketball fraternity after more than six months of no action due to the ongoing pandemic that brought the world and sport to its knees.

A total of eight teams will face off in the competition that will last seven days with two groups of four teams. The placing of the teams will be established per average points gained per game played and the best two teams in each group will progress to the Semi-Finals. There will be no Play-Offs in the traditional way of Best-Of-Five for the Semi-Finals and Best-Of-Seven series for the Final. Instead, two Semi-Finals and a Final will be played.

All the teams, officials and limited staff will be isolated during the competition period to protect them against the novel coronavirus. 

Rwanda and Patriots small forward Steven Hagumintwari told FIBA.basketball that, "At the beginning of the lockdown, it was so tough because there was uncertainty about the virus but now with the resumption of sports across the world, we have seen that it is possible to do the same."

"Like so many other players, we were doing some few exercises to stay in shape even though it was different of course. This is good news for us to return to the court to play basketball - the game that we love. It is now possible that we can play if we respect the Standard Operating Procedures," he said.

 Hagumintwari played at the last AfroBasket edition in Tunisia

Just like many of his teammates, Hagumintwari was hoping to ride on Patriots form after the BAL Qualifiers in December where the team went unbeaten in nine games in total but the pandemic halted their big plans. Now, they must make do. 

"The new league format is a challenge because the winner will represent Rwanda in the next BAL Qualifiers but we love a challenge. We know that we have to work hard to win the league. We were worried when we saw the other teams in other countries in our group starting practice and some are playing the league," said Hagumintwari.

"Now, with the league resuming, we have enough time to prepare for the AfroBasket Qualifiers and this is very important for us as the hosts of the AfroBasket next year."

His former teammate Lionel Hakizimana who crossed to army side APR earlier this year admitted that a shorter version of the competition is better than nothing. 

He said, "It will be good and fun for the players even if we shall play without the fans in the stadium but the target is to finish the league and prepare the national team for the AfroBasket Qualifiers. Even if the league will be short, it will help the players to get back in shape. Personally, I am excited to wear the APR jersey. I know what it means to Rwandans and my target is to bring my basketball knowledge and share with the young players."

Teams will commence their practice sessions from September 25 to October 15 before restarting the league from October 16-24. The national side will come together after that.

Rwanda head coach Vladimir Bosnjak who renewed his contract for another two years recently is excited with the new developments and said, "My plans are simple. A continuing league if possible, so that players have an improvement and we also want to have national team camps so that we also practice and develop the individuals and the team."

Looking back at the team's performance since he took over, Bosnjak believes that his side has made tremendous improvement but there is still room for improvement especially that Rwanda are the hosts of the FIBA AfroBasket 2021.

Bosnjak is a man on a mission

"The deal was that we go together and make things to move on in a better direction. I did try hard. We started the renewal of the team with new names and we gave a chance to younger guys in order to pay special attention to local players. I hope that we groom a good team for the success of the AfroBasket 2021, my mission will be accomplished," he explained.

Meanwhile, FERWABA has named Tanzanian coach Henry Mwinuka as an assistant coach to Bosnjak working alongside Karim Aime Nkusi in the same capacity. 

The Serbian tactician said about Mwinuka that, "He has been here for four years and I consider him like a local coach because he is a winner. He won back-to-back league titles with Patriots. Results speak for themselves." 

Mwinuka has since left Patriots and joined their arch-rivals REG and will be their biggest opponent for the league title come October. 

In what will be hitting two birds with one stone, reigning league champions Patriots will also use this opportunity to stay in shape for the inaugural Basketball Africa League expected to take place before the end of the year. 

FIBA