DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Urunani of Burundi have pulled out of this year’s Gisembe memorial international tournament slated for this weekend in Kigali.

Urunani won last year’s title after a narrow 66-65 win over tournament organisers Espoir.  Espoir claimed this year’s local edition after beating rivals CSK in the final 81-79 on Sunday.

According to Rwanda Basketball Federation technical director, Didier Shema Maboko, the Burundians bowed out because their key players are down with injuries, while others are students and currently doing exams.

The 3-day tournament will be contested by eleven teams, six in men’s and five in women’s  category respectively.

In the men’s category, Rwanda will be represented by Espoir, Cercle Sportif de Kigali and KBC (men), while Rwanda Allied Peace for Progress (RAPP) and Ubumwe will represent in the women category.

Regional teams to grace the competition include; Muzinga (men) and Belco Stars (women) both from Burundi, City Oilers (men) and Magic Stormers (women) of Uganda and PGB Goma (men and women) of DR Congo.