Rwanda Development Bank (BRD) and Electrogaz, Rwanda’s utility cooperation have thrown their weight behind this year’s Africa basketball championship qualifiers (Zone 5 championships) slated for February 23-1 March at Kigali’s Amahoro Indoor Stadium.

Although details about the sponsorship packages could not be confirmed, Innocent Karuhije, the technical advisor of the local basketball governing body (Ferwaba) said that the packages came in handy.

"We are grateful for their contributions and we encourage other corporate companies to come on board. This tournament means a lot to us (Rwanda) and we are doing every thing to try and make it a success,” he said.

The qualifiers which are being hosted in Kigali for a second time in a row have attracted teams from Uganda, Egypt, Kenya, Burundi, Ethiopia and Sudan among others.

After the week-long event, the winner will automatically qualify for this year’s Afro-basket event in Libya. The Afro-basket competition is the most coveted basketball event in Africa.

In 2007, Rwanda made the most of their home crowd by qualifying for their first ever Afro-basket championships in Angola after a second spot finish in the qualifiers.

Rwanda finished 12th in Angola.

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