KIGALI – Former Rwanda captain Hamza Ruhezamihigo has embarked on a journey to inspire the next generation of basketball youngsters in his country with the aim of teaching fundamentals and life skills combined.

“I think the future is in the youth and more with the women. When we have strong women, communities will be strong, the young ones will be strong. Those kids had their eyes opened wide. Everything I asked them to do, they did. When you see that, you get encouraged." - Ruhezamihigo

The 31-year old, who is based in Montreal, Canada, ran his first camp in August introducing the basics of the hoops game to girls and boys in Kigali as well as establishing a fitness program for their age groups.

“I opened up HR Training in Montreal, Canada about a year ago and registered here a few months ago. My mission is to use fitness and basketball as means to educate and reach the lives of the youth,” he explains.  

“I want to give back because someone did the same thing before me. I had coaches who trained me so I am doing the same thing. I had the privilege to play for my national team and represent my country and it comes with responsibilities so coming back home is important because these are my people.”

Ruhezamihigo starred for Rwanda at AfroBasket 2013

Ruhezamihigo captained Rwanda from 2009 guiding his side to AfroBasket at two editions in Libya then and 2011 in Madagascar where the Zone 5 representatives finished in 12^th after losing to semifinalists Cote d'Ivoire 80-72 in the Quarter-Finals.

At the 2013 edition, Rwanda finished in 10^th place with Ruhezamihigo amassing 25 assists in five games ranking fourth on the assists statistical board behind Nigeria’s Al-Farouq Aminu who had 37 in seven games.

Playing at the continental level shaped Ruhezamihigo’s decision to wish the same for the upcoming youngsters who are excited about this prospect.

“I have learnt a lot from listening to Hamza. He has played at the top level and so we look up to him and want to get there. We know that it takes a lot of hard work and as a young generation, we owe that to the nation,” said Jean Jacques Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza.

The teenage sensation, who came to the limelight last month during the FIBA Africa U18 Championship held in Rwanda where the hosts finished an impressive fifth, is heading to the USA where he attained a college basketball sponsorship and this will be on his mind.

Ruhezamihigo’s efforts are focused on fundamentals first, “My whole concept is about starting from the grassroots so when it comes to fitness, the base is your legs first and then you go up. It is the same thing for basketball. Footwork, dribbling, passing, shooting and the better you get then the harder it gets as I introduce them to different aspects of the game and fitness.”

Ruhezamihigo is back on the court to give back what he has achieved in Montreal,Canada

“My target is the youth so I have three different age groups – I have the mini HRs that is what I call them, from eight years to 11, then the second group is from 12-17 years old and then the elite level which is like the national team level and that is for both boys and girls.”

Former U-18 national team player Martine Umuhoza told FIBA.com that this camp has opened her eyes on the importance of working on her fitness which will ultimately improve her game going forward.

Ruhezamihigo said: “I think the future is in the youth and more with the women. When we have strong women, communities will be strong, the young ones will be strong. Those kids had their eyes opened wide. Everything I asked them to do, they did. When you see that, you get encouraged. I told them it is not just about basketball but also life skills. It is about hard work, teamwork and how school is important.”

While chasing his dream, he had to do a little bit of fundraising from parents, family, friends and himself, however, he believes some local sponsors in Rwanda want to come on board.

“The Federation of Rwanda Basketball (FERWABA) has been very supportive. They helped me find the kids here. I worked with local coaches too.”

On board is his former national teammates including shooting guard Karim Nkusi now assistant coach of the national U-18 boys team as well as current national senior team captain Aristide Mugabe and shooting guard Lionel Hakizimana.

Ruhezamihigo wants to return to Rwanda more often and this December will be collaborating with FERWABA and the Ministry of Sports to run a camp for boys and girls one week each.

“I want this to be all year long and also train the coaches and in the long term, I want to go into building more infrastructure. We need more gymnasiums, basketball courts and baskets, balls and fitness equipment. I brought some this time round and the kids were so happy to be working on their fitness.”

Ruhezamihigo’s efforts and those of many others in Rwanda could be instrumental in helping the Land of a Thousand Hills to make their stake their claim alongside the traditional African giants like Angola, Senegal, Tunisia, Mali, Egypt and Ivory Coast.

FIBA