Yusef Aziz, an American sports investor who founded Azomco Global, a Bugesera-based basketball club, has described its qualification to the topflight as “a mix of pride and accomplishment.” Originally from Seattle, Washington, Aziz embarked on a remarkable 14-year professional basketball journey that took him across continents, from the arenas of The Netherlands and Brazil to the basketball courts of Kuwait and Qatar. ALSO READ: Basketball: Nyamata-based Azomco determined to qualify for topflight His first visit to Rwanda in 2018 ignited a profound connection to the country's potential, leading to the establishment of Azomco Global in 2022. After two seasons of competing in the lower division, the club has now qualified for the topflight, a feat that will see it rub shoulders with the country’s best next season. “The general feeling after qualifying is a mix of pride and accomplishment. Qualifying for Division 1 was a significant milestone for our organization, especially given that it was achieved within just two years of putting the team together,” Aziz told Times Sport in an interview. “It was a moment of immense pride, one that our players, coaches, and fans will always cherish,” he added. The qualification was achieved after Azomco beat UR-Kigali 71-63 in the semi-finals of the second division, to set a finals’ date with Keplerian, another team that has qualified for the first division. “The celebration was short-lived as we had to quickly shift our focus to prepare for the Division 2 Finals. It was a special moment, but there was still work to be done,” Aziz said. Aziz is not only the founder but also plays a role in coaching the club not only to compete but also to raise young talented players who have good basketball knowledge and skills. A former player, he transitioned to mentorship, furthering his dedication to the sport by earning a Master’s Degree in Education from the College of New Jersey. ALSO READ: PHOTOS: APR ease past Patriots to set Rwanda Cup final date with rivals REG In 2015, he officially commenced his basketball coaching career at Texas A&M University-Qatar, where his leadership propelled the Men’s team to win two HBKU Championships. As Azomco goes for Division 1 next season, Aziz says their preparations for the big stage began even before the Division 2 season started. “We carefully selected players who showed the potential to develop into Division 1 caliber athletes. After a full season of intense training and competitive games, we now have a clear understanding of which players are ready to make the transition to the topflight. The number of current players who can successfully move up with us will significantly influence our strategy in the free agency market. Our aim is to build a team that can compete in Division 1 from day one,” he noted. He emphasized that the team’s focus for next season is on three main goals: developing talent, showcasing its brand of basketball, and remaining competitive. To achieve this, he said, strong management and the acquisition of additional sponsors will be crucial. “We have already started discussions with several new Rwandan companies across different business sectors. At Azomco, we view ourselves as a family, and we're looking for partnerships with organizations that genuinely believe in our long-term vision and are committed to making a lasting impact,” he noted. This season, the club worked with two sponsors, Roba Industries and KEFA Sports Ltd and Aziz says they are looking forward to continuing with these partnerships.
