Basketball Africa League (BAL) President Amadou Gallo Fall on Friday, May 19, announced that tickets to BK Arena have been sold out thanks in large part to the much-anticipated game between REG BBC and Egyptian side Al Ahly slated for Saturday, May 20.

Fall was addressing journalists during the opening BAL media briefing in Kigali. Also present at the briefing was the Rwandan Minister of Sports Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju, as well as FIBA president Anibal Manava.

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The tournament, in its third edition, will bring together eight teams from across Africa who will be contesting for the championship.

According to Fall, BAL playoffs which will be hosted in Kigali, for the third time, continue to develop the sport of basketball beyond just Rwanda and Africa.

He said: "We have seen just from the competition (qualifiers) what this league can showcase. We have had players playing on top of their game."

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This, he said, is inspiring for the next generation who look forward to being part of this competition.

"Tomorrow’s game is sold out and we are expecting to keep the momentum. The games will also be broadcasted on over 240 channels for us to have a wider reach,” Fall said.

"We continue to have exciting side events beyond the court, which is an opportunity to showcase African talent."

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Fall pointed out that the BAL-Visit Rwanda partnership continues to pay off on several fronts, particularly looking at the crowd it continues to attract from different sides of Africa.

"We are very pleased with how things are turning out, for instance when we had the BK Arena sold out for last year’s final game even without the home team playing."

"We are excited to crown a new champion come 27th, your guess is as good as mine.”

Minister Munyangaju said: "From the Sahara and Nile conference and the finals being played in Kigali, we are excited to host the league.

"We expect this year’s competition to be fun and exciting.”

Munyagaju said Rwanda continues to see a rise in the level of basketball, attributing the development to initiatives like the BAL.

"We continue to raise the level of basketball and will ensure our players become a giant of great change and success in the community and around the world. I wish the best of luck to our team REG,” she said.