Hoops president to focus on youth

THE new local basketball federation president Désiré Mugwiza wants to focus on youth development and securing basketball infrastructure during his one year tenure in office.The former APR basketball club president, who had a long career as a shooting forward in Okapi basketball club, was voted into office during Sunday’s election exercise held at the federation offices at Amahoro indoor stadium.Mugwiza, who replaces Lt. Eric Kalisa, who resigned late last year citing personal reasons, was elected along with a new team that includes Freddy Makuza (1st vice president), Jean Claude Murigo (2nd vice president), Richard Mutabazi (Secretary General), Alice Muhongerwa (Treasurer), Ismael Uwimana (legal Advisor) and Richard Nyirishema (Technical Advisor).Talking to Times Sport after the elections, an elated Mugwiza said his main priorities will be to revive youth structures which will see raw talent modeled and where possible exported for more exposure.“The future of basketball is in the youth, and considering that we will host the U-18 zone five later this year warrants that we put considerable efforts into scouting for young talented players and organize clinics for them.Our other priority is to align with our partners that include the sports ministry to increase basketball infrastructure especially playing courts. If we manage to achieve some of those targets, then our tenure will be considered a success,” Mugwiza said.Meanwhile, the basketball league regular season is scheduled to start later this month.KBC won last year’s regular season title, but they face mountain task to retain their crown after APR’s early show of intent by winning the playoffs.

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Hoops president to focus on youth