{"id":45045,"date":"2023-06-20T09:46:08","date_gmt":"2023-06-20T09:46:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/photos-rwanda-bal-announce-multi-year-partnership-extension"},"modified":"2023-06-20T10:07:12","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T10:07:12","slug":"photos-rwanda-bal-announce-multi-year-partnership-extension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/sport\/photos-rwanda-bal-announce-multi-year-partnership-extension","title":{"rendered":"PHOTOS: Rwanda, BAL announce multi-year partnership extension"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Kigali will continue to host the Basketball Africa League (BAL) games, including the playoffs and finals, in 2024, 2026 and 2028, officials have said.<\/p>\n

The development was announced Monday, June 19, after the BAL and Rwanda Development Board (RDB) signed a multi-year extension of their existing collaboration.<\/p>\n

The extension will see \u201cVisit Rwanda\u201d – the country\u2019s marketing and tourism initiative – continue as a foundational and host partner of the BAL. Through the agreement, Visit Rwanda will continue to be showcased on BAL team uniforms and at the BAL Combine.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Rwanda Development Board, as a foundational partner, has been integral to the launch and continued growth and success of the Basketball Africa League over our first three seasons,\u201d BAL president Amadou Gallo Fall said prior to the signing ceremony in Kigali.<\/p>\n

\u201cComing out of our most competitive and compelling season yet, we\u2019re excited to renew our collaboration with RDB that will bring BAL games as well as youth development and social impact programs to Rwanda for years to come,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Under the agreement, Fall said, the BAL and RDB will also collaborate on youth development and social impact programs.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a development that RDB CEO Clare Akamanzi welcome with both hands as she expects Rwanda and the sport achieve more through the new partnership.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are excited to extend our collaboration with the Basketball Africa League,\u201d Akamanzi said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have seen tremendous success and return on investment over the last three years and look forward to doing much more together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe BAL has proven to be a great unifier, and we remain committed to showcasing the best Rwanda has to offer in terms of tourism, investment opportunities, talent development, Made in Rwanda products and much more to the world. With the BAL and other major events, Rwanda is the home for sport in Africa,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, national airline, RwandAir, will, under the agreement, continue as the official airline of the BAL where it will facilitate travel to and from Kigali for select BAL teams and staff.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know how sport can bring communities together as teams compete to win and celebrate the power of teamwork and know the extended partnership will further strengthen those bonds,\u201d said RwandAir Chief Executive Yvonne Manzi Makolo.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are focused on our goal of delivering world-class customer service as we bring people together through our extensive route network, and we look forward to flying fans and teams over the coming years,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

In 2020, Rwanda and the BAL signed a three-year partnership agreement making the country an official founding and host partner of the tourney.<\/p>\n

Under the partnership, Rwanda hosted the first-ever BAL tournament at the state-of-the-art BK Arena during the past three seasons, from 2021 to 2023, before both parties held talks to extend their partnership.<\/p>\n

RwandAir CEO Yvonne Manzi Makolo signs the agreement which will see the national career continue as the official BAL airline where it will facilitate travel to and from Kigali for selected BAL teams and staff.<\/p>\n

BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall signs new deal which will see Kigali host the BAL games for another three seasons in 2024, 2026 and 2028.<\/p>\n

Minister for Sports Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju speaks during the signing ceremony of the multi-year partnership extension in Kigali on Monday, June 19.<\/p>\n

The new deal signing ceremony was attended by members of the media, officials from RDB and Ministry of Sports among others.<\/p>\n

L-R: Rwanda Development Board (RDB) CEO Clare Akamanzi, BAL President Amadou Gallo Fall, Minister of Sports Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju and RwandAir CEO Yvonne Manzi Makolo after signing the Rwanda-BAL multi-year partnership extension in Kigali on Monday, June 19.<\/p>\n

RDB CEO Clare Akamanzi signs the partnership extension deal after months of negotiations. The extension will see \u201cVisit Rwanda\u201d – the country\u2019s marketing and tourism initiative – continue to be showcased on BAL team uniforms and at the BAL Combine.<\/p>\n\r\n