{"id":43194,"date":"2023-05-28T17:12:40","date_gmt":"2023-05-28T17:12:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/electric-atmosphere-at-bk-arena-ahead-of-bal-final"},"modified":"2023-05-28T18:33:38","modified_gmt":"2023-05-28T18:33:38","slug":"electric-atmosphere-at-bk-arena-ahead-of-bal-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/sport\/electric-atmosphere-at-bk-arena-ahead-of-bal-final","title":{"rendered":"Electric atmosphere at BK Arena ahead of BAL final"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>In a few hours, the champions of the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL) will be crowned at BK Arena, in Rwanda\u2019s capital, Kigali.<\/p>\n

People, including celebrities such as American film star Forest Steven Whitaker, 13-year NBA veteran Joakim Noah, American sports and business executive Mark A Tatum, Ugandan rapper Daniel Lubwama Kigozi, or Navio, and many others, turned up in big numbers to see who takes home the trophy. Will it be Senegal\u2019s AS Douanes, or Egyptian champions AL Ahly?<\/p>\n

At the venue, you spot long lines of basketball fans passing through security and getting wristbands to access the game, which might be the biggest sports event to take place in the Rwandan capital this year.<\/p>\n

Early comers are enjoying different activities at the fan zone; a 360 degrees\u2019 photo booth, mini basketball court, ball arcade games, and music played by different DJs.<\/p>\n

Different restaurants and bars around town have stands at the arena; selling food and beverages to revellers inside and outside the arena.<\/p>\n

Alpha Bugingo, a university student, says that he came early to enjoy the ambiance at the fan zone.<\/p>\n

The 2023 BAL playoff was a bit unique, he told The New Times, seeing how people are enjoying more than just the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t say that I\u2019m only here for the game. I just want to see Bruce Melodie perform. It\u2019s been a while since he performed for his fans and I\u2019m very sure that many people are here for the same reason,\u201d Bugingo noted.<\/p>\n

For Gae\u0308lle Gasangwa, a Rwandan student in France, the game is all that matters. She is a diehard AS Douanes fan with so many Senegalese friends back in France.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cI\u2019m here for only one reason and that\u2019s to support my team, As Douanes. I have many Senegalese friends who didn\u2019t make it here that I\u2019m representing. We are taking home the trophy!\u201d<\/p>\n

Tristan Enrique, who is in charge of the Photo Booth, said that the turn-up at BK Arena was good compared to previous days.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople are loaded here and consuming all the services at the fan zone. I received over 100 people within one hour who wanted to take pictures at the booth. It\u2019s crazy!\u201d Enrique smiled.<\/p>\n

Rwanda\u2019s megastar, Bruce Melodie, will headline the halftime show of the game which has attracted many celebrities from around the world.<\/p>\n

DJ Neptunes is the man behind the decks on Saturday.<\/p>\n

The game starts in a few minutes.<\/p>\n

Who will take the trophy home? Only time will tell.<\/p>\n

Rwandan fan favourite, megastar Bruce Melodie, entertained at the start of the final at BK Arena in Kigali, on Saturday, May 27.<\/p>\n

Jamad Fiin, the first female Somalian Muslim professional basketball player, is in Kigali to watch the 2023 BAL finals.<\/p>\n

Nigerian record producer, singer and songwriter, Phillip Kayode Moses, better known as Pheelz, was at BK Arena when Egyptian champions AL Ahly conquered Senegalese side AS Douanes to be crowned the 2023 Basketball Africa League (BAL) Kings, on Saturday, May 27, 2023, in Kigali, Rwanda.<\/p>\n


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