Nine countries have confirmed their participation in the upcoming 2017 FIBA Africa Zone V Championship scheduled for March 12-18 in Cairo, Egypt.

Rwanda will be seeking to do well at the week-long regional competition and return to continental scene after missing out on the last two editions.

Having been at the Afro-Basket finals since 2007, Rwanda missed the 2015 edition after finishing third at the FIBA Africa Zone V Championship in Kampala, Uganda.

The Pharaohs of Egypt and hosts Uganda finished first and second to qualify for the continental showpiece which was held in Tunisia.

Currently in residential camp at Golden Tulip Hotel in Bugesera District, the national men’s team is training twice daily at Amahoro Indoor Stadium under the guidance of Moise Mutokambali, assisted by Albert Buhake.

Egypt and Uganda are among countries expected to put up a stiff challenge for Mutokambali’s side as only the finalists will qualify for this year’s Afro-Basket to be held from August 17 to 31 in Brazaville, Republic of Congo.

Other countries set for Zone V tournament include; Kenya, Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan and Tanzania.

Women’s league continues…

In the meantime, the national women’s basketball league continues with UR- CASS hosting neighbours IPRC-South on Saturday. UR- CASS will again return to action on Sunday against The Hoops Rwanda.

APR top the table standings with 6 points, one behind Ubumwe, IPRC-South are third with 4 points while The Hoops Rwanda and UR-CASS are fourth and fifth with two points and one point, respectively.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw