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RBL Playoff finals head to game 5 after Patriots fight back.

RBL Playoffs head to game 5 after Patriots fight back.
Kenneth Gasana played a vital role in a Patriots win against REG BBC on September 14, 2022 | Photo: Innocent SHEMA
September 14th, 2022, In BK Arena, the Patriots tied the 5-game series at 2-2 to force the final decider in the Rwanda Basketball League, RBL Men’s Playoffs.

Kenneth Hubert Gasana displayed a truly awesome offensive performance in a do-or-die contest that lead to the Patriots’ victory over REG BBC. The 78-65 win means a game 5 in the 2022 Rwanda Basketball League Playoff-finals will now determine who takes RBL title bragging rights.

Things seemed easy for REG BBC before this game as they had taken a 2-1 lead with only one more to clinch a second consecutive RBL title. However, the Patriots led by Kenneth Hubert Gasana were not ready to go down without putting up an even better fight.

Patriots reacted to beat their rivals 78-65 (14-11, 27-10, 15-22, and 22-22) to push the battle to the last day. Gasana scored a team-high 18 points to go with 10 assists and complete a double-double in this must-win game. Ntore Habimana, Steven Hagumintwari, Dieudonne Ndizeye, Kendall Gray scored in double digit too. Habimana dished 6 assists and grabbed 9 rebounds.

REG’s Axel Mpoyo led all scorers with 19 points. The power forward grabbed 10 rebounds too. Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza contributed 16 points.

Axel Mpoyo scored a game high 19 points

The deciding game 5 is scheduled for Sunday, September 18, at BK Arena.

In the women’s category, REG Women BBC overcame APR BBC to clinch the title for a second consecutive season. REG defeated APR 63-54 to make it 3-1 in the best-of-five series. Ines Nezerwa was outstanding once again, scoring 26 points and grabbing 17 rebounds

Rwanda Energy Group Women Basketball Club are the 2022 Rwanda Basketball League Champions | Photo: Innocent SHEMA
REG Women BBC Center, Mireille Nyota Muganza has been awarded the Most Valuable Player of 2022 league season. The Minister of Sports, Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju handed the award

REG Women BBC pocketed 10 Million Rwandan francs and will represent Rwanda in the next year’s Zone V championship.

NVL: Volleyball Fans Should Expect Exciting Brawls This Season.

NVL
After an astounding display at the National Volleyball League launch, NVL, volleyball lovers know this season is going to be filled with terrific action.

From the coaches to the clubs, to the players, NVL 2022/2023 is going to be a season for the history books. The curtain raiser event started at the prestigious National Club Championship last week in Iganga.

The tournament was hosted by NVL defending champions Orange Block Busters where acclaimed club Nemo Stars failed to leave the group stages after competition rules caught them off guard.

Nemo Stars don’t seem to have that winning touch with them yet as they once again lost to Ndejje Sharks, a team that beat them at the NCC in Iganga.

KCCA side pulled out of the NCC tourney the of the technical meeting prior to the serve-off despite players traveling to the venue. Head coach Shilla Omuriwe Buyungo’s hurdles were not yet over when her ladies faced head coach Ronnie Kitosi’s side Ndejje Elites at the league launch last weekend.

NVL
KCCA Volleyball Club Head Coach, Shilla Omuriwe Buyungo

The Match ended 3:1 to the delight of the NVL defending champions the Elites. A double victory for Ndejje University.

OBB men on the other hand are also not looking good this season. After losing 3:0 to Sport-S in Iganga, head coach Yakana Lawrence parted with the club.

As that was not enough damage for the club, they played their NVL 2022/2023 opener against Sport-S, and head coach Warren with his men gave the Iganga boys no ounce of room for victory. 3:0, the final score.

Sport-S’ Shirt number 12, Micheal Mangon from South Sudan played receiver attacker and was quite instrumental in executing the plan to destroy OBB last night.

NVL
New Kid On The Block Micheal Mangon

OBB Ladies continue to impress as they played against former champions KCB-Nkumba and won 3:2. The ladies from Iganga have already tested Serie A teams and as debutants in the top flight league, a lot is expected from them.

Ground-Sports will have full coverage of this season so be sure sure to follow the league at the links here. Men’s League and Women’s League

NVL: Six Games On The Line As The Volleyball League Title Contention Returns.

NVL

The National Volleyball League, NVL returns this weekend, a week after the recently concluded National Club Championships.

It was all out clashing in Iganga last weekend as clubs were competing for the title of the National Club Championship. Defending champions in the men’s category, Sport-S Volleyball Club once again displayed dominance after going unbeaten losing no set in the entire tournament.

The Nsambya-based Club ended their previous seasons on a sad note after shirt 11, Rukundo’s injury that affected the entire team towards playoffs. The number 11 was at it again breaking through blocks after full recovery.

NVL

Sport-S played the NCC final against host OBB and in a big statement win, the former will be a force to reckon with come the start of the NVL.

Nemo Stars, a renowned club in the league did not make it out of the group stages in this prestigious tournament. Nevertheless, the former league champions return this weekend with a lot on the table.

League defending champions Orange Block Busters have a lot to prove this season given the history they wrote in the NVL 2021/22. The club also recently parted ways with head coach Yakan Lawrence. It should be noted the Rwandese international helped the side win the league and a number of accolades in his one-year tenure.

The Iganga-based club does not seize to surprise volleyball fans as the lady’s team is also making unprecedented history. As new league entrants in the women’s Serie B, the side continued to win the league and later won the NCC Women’s title after a match played against Sport-S.

NVL
Women’s Serie B Champions OBB

Coming from a less competitive Serie B and playing against Serie A contenders in the NCC is a good test for the ladies. Straight from Serie B to representing the country at the African Club Championships is quite a big challenge for the OBB Ladies

Saturday 10th, September 2022 NVL Fixture.

Women
Sport-S VS KAVC-A – 9:00 am
KCB-Nkumba VS OBB – 1:00 pm
Ndejje Elites VS KCCA – 5:00 pm

Men
Ndejje VS Nemo Stars – 11:00 am
KAVC-A VS UCU – 3:00 pm
Sport-S VS OBB – 7:00 pm

Chris Crawford unstoppable as the Patriots take a 1-0 series lead over REG BBC in the RBL finals.

Chris Crawford unstoppable as the Patriots take a 1-0 series lead over REG BBC in the RBL finals.
Crawford dribbling past Cleveland Thomas in 2022 RBL Playoff finals | Courtesy Photo
In a way to tip-off the Rwanda Basketball League Playoff-Finals in style, Marcus Christopher Crawford took care of business with 27 points and 10 rebounds, as Patriots defeated the defending champions 75-70 and took a 1-0 lead in best-of-five series.

Wednesday, September 7, 2022 in BK Arena, Rwanda Energy Group Basketball team continues the quest to defend the league title. However, They have a serious mountain to climb in this serie as their opponent may just be too good to allow that to happen.

With Manga Pitchou back in Roster, REG BBC started well in the first two quarters, leading Patriots by 9 points at the break (23-17, 20-17). Nevertheless, the electricians hadn’t witnessed the real Crawford yet.

With the crowd’s help, Crawford and Patriots came out of the locker room with an imperial domination to close the gap to three points, 61-58. In the last 10 minutes of game, Patriots with the same energy completed a comeback and won the game 75-70. Patriots now leads 1-0 in the best-of-five series.

Patriots’ new guard, Marcus Christopher Crawford came up big to drop a monster double-double performance of 27 points and grabbed 10 boards. He poured in 5 three-pointers in 11 attempts and dished out 2 assists to his teammates. Steven Hagumintwari and Kenneth Gasana contributed 18 and 13 points respectively.

On the side of REG BBC, Adonis Filer (17), Manga Pitchou (11) and Jean Jacques Nshobozwabyosenumukiza (14) scored in double-digits.

For the Rwanda Basketball League, Crawford becomes the first player ever who has featured in an NBA summer games to play in this league

Chris Crawford unstoppable as the Patriots take a 1-0 series lead over REG BBC in the RBL finals.
Christopher Crawford’s double-double led Patriots to victory over REG BBC in 2022 RBL Playoff finals | Courtesy Photo

The American guard went undrafted in 2014 but in the same year, he appeared in the Houston Rockets summer league team. He later joined Cleveland Cavaliers in preseason games, but unfortunately waived before the start of season.

In Africa, Crawford played for US Monastir in BAL inaugural season before joining SLAC in the second edition. He is now in Rwanda to help Patriots overcome their long time rivals and back to continental competitions.

The second game is scheduled this Saturday, September 10 in BK Arena. Will the Patriots extend the lead or will the REG BBC pull one game back and level the series? A must-watch game for a Basketball fan in Rwanda as REG BBC want to reclaim their throne at the peak of RBL and represent the country in Basketball Africa League.

In women’s category, Burundian International, Ines Nezerwa’s huge day leads the REG Women BBC to a win over APR WBBC. Nezerwa also know as Giti dropped 21 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and blocked 5 shoots. Odile Tetero added 15 points in the 60-57 narrow win against former champions, APRW BBC

Nelly Sandra Nsanzabaganwa scored 16 points for APR and provided 5 assists. Game 2 is scheduled for Saturday

 

NCC: OBB Ladies Worry More Experienced Sides As They Continue Writing History.

Obb Ladies
The ladies from Iganga, OBB Super Queens continue impressing with that unbeaten run that has them emerge as tournament winners.

Under the guidance of head coach Protus Soita, the OBB Ladies side was one nut too hard for Malik Ddamulira’s side to crack. We have already witnessed the Iganga ladies go unbeaten in the National Volleyball League, NVL but against women’s teams in Serie B.

Obb Ladies
OBB Ladies Head Coach Protus Soita

“We anticipated it to be hard, but with winning the game one after the other is what has helped us come to this victory,” said head coach Protus Soita.

The National Club Championship was yet another contention, but this time against top-flight teams in the Serie A of the league. The Iganga ladies were not jittery despite these teams presenting more experience.

OBB Ladies finished the tournament with a 6-0 win/loss record after triumphantly defeating Espoir, Kampala University, and former league champions KCB-Nkumba in the group stages, KAVC in the quarter-finals, and NVL defending champions Ndejje Elites.

The ladies continued to win the tournament in the final match against Sport-S, 3-1. The latter secured the 3rd set and came into the 4th strong gaining a 5-point lead at some point in this set.

The Iganga ladies later took the lead at 14 – 13 and went on to win the match. However, the team that played to win the Serie B league was without the experience of new recruits, Maureen Mwamula, Faith Magole, and Jesca Kaidu.

The introduction of this trio means the ladies with come stronger in the top-flight league plus the wins over the weekend absolutely boosts thier confidence.

“I must say I am very happy for the women because they have listened to my advise that I have been giving them. I told the ladies it is now, do you want the men to go alone? So, challenge youself,” stated the club patron Mr. Kigundu Ahmed.

OBB men and women will represent the country at the African Club Championships.

In Eventful sports day in Rulindo, Special Olympics Rwanda celebrated 4th Eunice Shriver’s day

Athletes and coaches carried a glimmer of hope to honor Special Olympics founder ,Eunice Kennedy Shriver

Special Olympics Rwanda celebrated its annual Eunice Kennedy Shriver Day, The worldwide celebration in memory of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics movement. The event took place in Rulindo district with Athletes playing unified games.

September 2, 2022 – Rusiga sector in Rulindo district, the Special Olympics Rwanda organized an eventful sports day to celebrate and honor the life of the woman who founded the movement that empowers people with and without intellectual disabilities to live in a unified society, Eunice Kennedy Shriver

A day was marked by various sports activities including athletics and football which brought together students with and without intellectual disabilities at GS Rukingu. The cells tournament in football was also concluded where Bukoro defeated Kirenge to lift the trophy following a narrow win on penalties (3-2) as 90 minutes ended in a goalless draw.

GS Rukingu students with and without intellectual disabilities playing a Football game before the Bukoro vs Kirenge clash
People with intellectual disabilities can do athletics too
A matchup between Bukoro and Kirenge

In his remarks, the Chairman of Special Olympics Rwanda, Pastor Deus Sangwa honored the legacy of Eunice Shriver and spoke out on how special the day is to remember her passing.

Pastor Deus Sangwa, the Chairman of Special Olympics Rwanda

He said “Today is a very special day for Special Olympics on a global scale, more special in Africa, though in Rwanda we value it and celebrate in a very distinctive way since we celebrate Eunice Shriver’s legendary, the Special Olympics founder

He continued by mentioning that Special Olympics Rwanda promotes inclusive sports and education for all and the will to continue collaborating with the Rulindo district to encourage inclusive education, love for the sport, and being active in general.

The SOR chairman concluded by passing a message to make society more inclusive for people with intellectual disabilities.

“We continue to encourage parents, relatives, and families not to exclude children with intellectual disabilities from their families and schools. They have to come out of solitude and joined others. That was the main idea of ​​Eunice Shriver.”

“People with intellectual disabilities have to be free of all hindrances. In our country no one should be excluded from sports or entertainment” Chairman Sangwa said.

Special Olympics Rwanda is a non-governmental organization affiliated with Special Olympics International in 2003 with a mission to provide year-round sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience, joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

SGI RISE UP CAMP climaxed at Cercle Sportif de Kigali

On Sunday, August 28th , 2022,  At Cercle Sportif de Kigali, the SGI RISE UP CAMP organized by Sports Genix International (SGI) Academy came to a climax with close to 500 children taking part.

These Children holiday camps coordinated by SGI Sports Academy, kicked off on July 4, 2022, and dealt with training and skills development in different sports including; football, basketball and karate.

According to the SGI Sports Academy founder and Chief Executive Officer, Guy Didier Rurangayire, they ultimately prepare children to become meaningful future competitors.

He said “The aim of our sports academy is to train children in a professional way to become the best athletes in future. We help young athletes progress through our youth ranks; as we started with children aged 9 and 10, we expect them to shine for teams and play at the professional level within 5 years.”

He continued, “In this recently concluded camp, we had 186 kids in karate, 160 in basketball, and 100 in football. So, around 500 children came regularly from Monday to Friday and the training sessions started from 9 am to noon in different age groups. Otherwise, we had 216 children who started in January when we launched this program.”

Guy RURANGAYIRE, Sports Genix International founder and Chief executive officer

CEO Rurangayire concludes by encouraging parents to bring their children to learn and develop their talents in different sports.

I would urge the parents to join us. Firstly, have the willingness to be part of this initiative and then when you get the interest, become an SGI member through our social media platforms. All the details and necessities are available including the fees and I can assure we have properly set accurate and fair prices.” said Rurangayire.

The children showcase their talent in different sports in front of their parents

Normally, SGI Sports Academy was founded January, 2022, the training sessions are done three times a week at different hours. In Football, Basketball and Karate, the practices are scheduled every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

To climax the sportful camp, the best performers in every sport were awarded.

KARATE: Mouna Uwadata Irebe, Innocent Junior Uwimana, Nive Ineza Senga, Ines Gaella Mizero, and Katia Bwiza

FOOTBALL: Blessing RWAMUCYI IMENA, Elvis Blessed INEZA GANZA, Akiva IHIRWE, Nolan Timeo ISHAMI, and Joao KAMANA

BASKETBALL: Jared Karera, Laika Ganza, Daniella Niyomungeri, Kenny Cyusa, and Aimable Munezero

The best performers in all sports

RBL Playoffs: APR BBC rout REG BBC to force a game 3

APR
APR BBC captain, Ally Kubwimana Kazingufu tries to drive past Adonis Filer in RBL playoff matchup between APR BBC vs REG BBC | Photo: Innocent SHEMA
APR BBC forced a Game 3 in the 2022 Rwanda Basketball League playoff semis, blowing out REG BBC 68-59 on Sunday night to level the best-of-three series at 1-1.

In the playoff series that started last Friday, APR BBC had a night to forget as they got humiliated and recorded a heavy loss against the defending champions. However, things were not the same as APR come into Sunday game very aggressive, put on a sensational defense to give the opponent no chance to lead any second of the game.

The former champions, APR BBC started the game on fire and ended the first quarter with a 10 points lead, 22-12. In this quarter, the Army side through Ally Kubwimana, put on an absolutely brilliant playmaking display, offensive transitions, and putting constant pressure on the opposing defense which left him with multiple passing options.

In the second quarter, the 2021-2022 league champions had to react. They cut the deficit to 6 points and went into break with 35-29.

APR come into the third quarter determined, lead the game again in the first six minutes, 49-36, APR’s biggest lead of the night. With Steven Emile Perriere and Ally Kubwimana on bench resting, the remaining four minutes were a nightmare for Cliff Owuor’s side.

Beleck Bell made a layup followed by Shyaka’s three pointer to make it 41-49 with 3 minutes to go. Axel Mpoyo put in another 2-point basket before he hit a back-to-back threes to tie the score and end the 3rd period with 49 points a piece.

In the last quarter, Balaban Darko orchestrated APR’s attack with unmatched brilliance to help his side finish the game on a high note 68-59. Darko put up 21 points, 13 rebounds.

It was a big game for Steven Emile Perriere too, who had 11 points and 7 rebounds and 3 blocks. The Central African Republic international was on incredible form in this game as he played a very competent defense.

Steven defends as REG BBC power forward, Olivier Shyaka looks for an opening in the game APR BBC overcome REG BBC to force a game 3 in RBL semi final playoffs | Photo: Innocent SHEMA

REG’s Cleveland Thomas and Axel Mpoyo scored 14 and 13 points respectively.

The defending champions were once again without Pitchou Manga (who is away on national team duties), leaving Kaje with the burden of being hyper-aggressive on the offensive end.

Game 3 is scheduled to tip off at 20:00 on Wednesday at Kepler Campus Basketball court

Following this APR hard fought win, Patriots will have to wait a few more days before they know which team they will face in the 2022 Rwanda Basketball League Finals.

The Patriots punched their ticket to the RBL Playoff Finals on Sunday evening with a sweep over the Tigers in yet another 73-51 easy win. They will have to wait until Wednesday August 31 to know their opponent in this year playoff finals.

The Rwanda Basketball League Playoff Finals will run from September 7-16 in the expected jam-packed BK Arena.

Kepler host Festive Friday night Basketball where the First Lady was in attendance.

First Lady, Mrs Jeannette Kagame (in Middle) blessed the RBNL playoff games at Kepler. The Minister of sports, Mrs Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju and The Basketball Federation President Mr Desire Mugwiza were in attendance too
Kepler’s new Basketball court hosts the first ever league game to mark the start of the 2022 Rwanda Basketball League Playoffs series. The event was graced by the attendance of H.E Jeannette Kagame, the first lady of Rwanda.

August 26, 2022, the Rwanda Basketball League playoffs semi-finals tipped off in both women’s and men’s categories. At Kepler campus in the Kinyinya sector, APR Women Basketball took on RP-IPRC Huye before REG BBC rubbed shoulders with APR BBC in arguably the most anticipated matchup of Friday night but ended in a one-sided result.

President Kagame’s sons following the game attentively at Kepler

In the first game, APR WBBC started off strong and took the lead early to end the first period with 21-9 against former champions, RP-IPRC Huye. The army side kept the momentum and went into the break with 41-26.

In the second half, the Fiston Shema-coached side fought back to cut the deficit but the gap was huge. They outscored APR (19-19, 11-10) and the game ended 69-56 in favor of APR WBBC. Betty Kalanga Tshinyangu was unstoppable as she led the scorers with 28 points, 13-16 FG.

APR WBBC’s Betty Kalanga (White, 8) displayed outstanding performance in the Friday night game against RP-IPRC Huye

On the side of IPRC Huye, young Violette Uwimpuhwe come off the bench to score a team-high 20-points in 26 minutes spent on the court. The 18-year-old girl’s improvement in this season is remarkable.

In the men’s game, Cameroon-born forward, Beleck Bell dropped 19 points to help the Rwanda Energy Group Basketball team take the lead in the best-of-three playoff series against APR BBC.

REG BBC won all four quarters and led by as many as 38 to grab an easy win. (16-14, 28-12, 15-6, 26-15) to make it 85-47. The score was tight in the first quarter before Cleveland Thomas arrived at the venue late to change the game for good and forever.

The American shooting guard scored 11 points including 3-pointers in 5 attempts. He played 17 minutes, however, Cliff Owuor seemed to have no solutions to stop him.

Cleveland Thomas Jr goes for a layup against Fiston Irutingabo of APR BBC at Kepler.

Elsewhere at Nyandungu, REG Women BBC defeated The Hoops Rwanda 71-47 while Patriots thrashed Tigers BBC 91-45.

All the eight teams in both categories will take to the floor on Sunday for a second game. all the games will take place at Kepler Campus except the RP-IPRC Huye vs APR WBBC matchup slated in IPRC Court, Huye district.

Kepler host the Festive Friday night Basketball

The RBNL finals will run from September 7-16 in the expected jam-packed BK Arena.

Photos Credit: Innocent SHEMA

AS Kigali kicked off the 2022/2023 season with a win over Etincelles

AS Kigali
Last Season league top scorer, Shaban Hussein netted a brace to help AS Kigali bag the three points of MD1 | Photo Credit: Jules Jully
AS Kigali, The Citizens begin the 2022/2023 Rwanda Premier League season with a 2-0 comfortably victory over Etincelles FC at Kigali Stadium on Friday afternoon.

NYAMIRAMBO, August 19, 2022, to mark the beginning of the 2022/2023 season, Hussein Shaban’s first-half brace was enough to give Cassa Mbungo’s charges all three points of match day one.

Cassa Mbungo handed league debuts to new signings Man Ykre, and Juma Laurence, while Saturo, Akayezu, Tuyisenge, and Nyarugabo started on the bench. Landry Ndikumana didn’t make the 20-man squad.

AS Kigali’s new signing, Laurence Juma (24) provided an assist in his RPL debut | Photo: Jules Jully

A great way to start the season for 2022/2023 Super Cup winners. Last season they finished third but with new signings, there is no doubt that they are serious title contenders.

Elsewhere Espoir FC beat Marines 1-0 to pick up their first win of the season too. Samson Irokan scored the solo goal on his debut at the Rusizi-based club. At Nyagatare, Sunrise defeated Police FC to remind football fans that they are back in the top-flight league.

Tomorrow, Rayon Sports host Rutsiro at Kigali stadium, and Kiyovu will travel away to Bugesera

Rwanda Premier League Match Day 1

19/08/2022

AS Kigali 2-0 Etincelles
Espoir FC 1-0 Marines
Sunrise 1-0 Police FC
APR FC 2-1 Musanze FC

20/08/2022

3pm, Gasogi United vs Mukura VS @ Kigali Stadium
        Rwamagana City vs Gorilla FC @ Ngoma Stadium
        Bugesera vs SC Kiyovu @ Bugesera Stadium
6:30 pm, Rayon Sports vs Rutsiro @ Kigali Stadium