After clinching the 2016/17 hoops pre-season tourney, Patriots coach Henry Mwinuka has set a daunting target in his second season as the head coach of the Kagugu-based side saying he aims to win every competition that they will participate in.

The reigning league champions overcame newly created Rwanda Energy Group (REG) Basket Ball Club on Friday in a narrow 76-75 victory to emerge as the 2016/17 pre-season tournament winners, dethroning IPRC- South who won last year’s competition.

The Tanzanian tactician who was a winner in his maiden season leading the club to a double (league and Gisembe regional titles) before reaching the semi-finals of the 2015 FIBA-Africa Club championship that was held in Dar-es-Salaam in October wants to continue the winning habit further this season.

In an interview with Times Sport Mwinuka said, "I am very grateful that we have managed to win our first pre-season title, I think it is the best possible way to kick off a season because it does not only motivate players but assures them that they are strong and can beat any team.”

The 2016/17 season will kick off this weekend with blue and white side taking on newly created Bank of Kigali (BK) Basketball Club that will be playing its first game since it was officially registered.

"In our pre-season I noted some issues to improve and that is what we are working on now, nonetheless this season I want to win everything, it’s my target,” he added

Meanwhile after losing his skipper and star player Ali Kazingufu Kubwimana to REG, Patriots have signed a total of four players to fill the gap and strengthen the side.

The new signings include former shooting guard Sunny Niyomugabo and Didier Ishimwe from IPRC-South, Center player Junior Ambol from DR Congo and point guard Cedar Sagamba from Ndejje University of Uganda.

Apart from REG and BK, also re-admitted back into the league is Kimisagara-based 30-Plus, taking the total number of league clubs to 12 from 10 last season.

The U18 boys team that featured in the league last season as they prepared for the 2016 FIBA Africa U18 Championships that was eventually staged in Kigali in July, ceased to exist after most of  its players were recruited by other clubs while five others got scholarships to study in the United States.

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