Newly established Rwanda Energy Group (REG) basketball club have made their intentions very clear by appointing former Espoir trainer Jean Bahufite their head coach on top of signing some of the best players in the country.

 Among the high profile names that the club has acquired include 2015/16 MVP and former captain of reigning league champions Patriots Ali Kazingufu Kubwimana, former Espoir centre Bienvenue Ngandu, Regis Gatoto (guard) from UGB and Armel  Sangwe (point guard) from the U18 Boys team.

Others include; Benjamin Mukengerwa (guard), from DR Congo, Deo Nkurikiyinka (guard, free agent), Francois Gahuranyi, Patrick Nshizirungu, from the U18 Boys, and point guard Didier Abimana (free agent) as well as centre forward Valery Kajeguhakwa, also a free agent.

 All the players have signed a one-year contract with the club and already began pre-season training at Kigali Indoor Stadium in Remera and Kimisagara Youth Centre.

REG and Bank of Kigali (BK) were accepted by the Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) general assembly on Sunday to compete in the national league starting with the 2016/17 season, which starts next month.

The former are not taking anything for granted as they have quickly gone ahead to build a strong team they believe is capable of challenging for trophies from the onset.

In Bahufite, the club have appointed one of the most experienced coaches in local basketball. He parted ways with Espoir last season after guiding the Nyamirambo-based side to four successive league and playoffs titles, on top of other trophies, including the 2012 FIBA-Africa Zone V Club Championships.

"It’s true I have signed a one-year contract and tasked to win the league in the first season, something I believe is possible given that that the club have signed 10 very good players and we still hope to add a few more,” Bahufite told Times Sport.

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