The celebration that followed RSSB Tigers Basketball Club’s BAL 2026 triumph was about far more than basketball. For many visitors who traveled to Kigali from across Africa, Europe and North America, the tournament became a showcase of Rwanda’s growing reputation as a destination capable of hosting world-class sporting events.
As the curtains closed on the sixth edition of the Basketball Africa League, foreign supporters spoke enthusiastically about the atmosphere, organization and infrastructure they experienced throughout the competition.
Among them was Eddy, a Burundian living in Belgium, who traveled to Kigali specifically to support RSSB Tigers BC. He said Rwanda’s investment in sports and public infrastructure stood out as one of the tournament’s defining features.
“As Africans, it pleases us to see the country of Rwanda with a Leader who loves his people and supports sports, building great infrastructure like this BK Arena. I think that there are not many places in Africa where you can find a facility like this.”
According to Eddy, Rwanda’s progress in sports development offers inspiration to many countries across the continent and demonstrates how investment in young people can create lasting opportunities.
He added: “I came to support the RSSB Tigers Basketball Club because I love the game of basketball. Rwanda’s victory is a victory for Burundians and Africans in general, because it is a country that represents us well in the East African region.”
His remarks reflected a broader feeling among visiting supporters who viewed the success of RSSB Tigers BC as a regional achievement and a positive story for African basketball.
Ugandan fan Okero, who attended the tournament with a group of supporters from Uganda, also praised the overall organization of the event. He highlighted crowd management, security arrangements and the smooth flow of activities throughout the competition.
“I was impressed by the organization of the tournament and how it went. The way people entered without overcrowding, and how the security forces guided everyone, showed me that there is a lot we must learn from Rwanda. Rwanda has taught us a great lesson in organizing international events,” he said
Many visitors echoed similar sentiments, pointing to Kigali’s cleanliness, hospitality and sense of safety as key factors that enhanced their experience.
Okero also expressed admiration for President Paul Kagame’s visible support for the tournament, saying his presence in the stands left a strong impression on foreign visitors.
“Another thing that pleased me was seeing President Paul Kagame attend almost all the games, especially coming to support the Rwandan team. The fact that he is a true fan, sitting together with other fans, is something that delighted us and sets an example for other leaders.”
Regarding the championship victory, he said RSSB Tigers BC fully deserved the title after consistently strong performances throughout the tournament.
“The fact that the RSSB Tigers team won the trophy, they worked for it and deserved it because they performed well right from the preliminary games. As their fans who came from Uganda, we are extremely happy with this victory.”
The sixth edition of the Basketball Africa League attracted spectators from countries including Canada, the United States, Belgium, France, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Senegal, Nigeria and many others.
The strong international attendance and positive feedback from visiting fans reinforced Kigali’s growing status as one of Africa’s premier destinations for major sporting events.
For RSSB Tigers BC, the championship marked a historic milestone, while for thousands of supporters it became a celebration of sporting excellence, regional unity and Africa’s rising profile on the global stage.
