Kigali, 15th January 2020, Bank of Kigali PLC has signed the 2nd year of BK-FERWABA sponsorship and increased the sponsorship value from one hundred million to one hundred thirty-five million annually. BK also announced the ten league players who are becoming BK Brand ambassadors.

Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) and BK signed a Frw 300 Million partnership in November 2018 with BK as the major sponsor of the national basketball league and other major basketball tournaments for the three years – till 2021. “We are thrilled to see the progression and perception of Basketball as a sport by our people and we are confident that the partnership will yield to even greater mutual benefits” said Bank of Kigali’s CEO, Dr Diane Karusisi.

Under the renewed partnership, Bank of Kigali PLC has the rights to brand national teams (Men Senior, Women Senior & Under 17), rights to brand games of the national teams and once enabled, IKOFI users will be able to pay entrance tickets.

“As we enter into the partnership’s second year, Bank of Kigali remains committed to support local female and male basketball players to reach their full potential and advance Basketball within the country and across Africa. Today we are taking on board ten of the best players in the league to become our brand ambassador. We will work with them as it is high time sportspeople in Rwanda make comfortable earnings from their talent and hard work” the CEO added.

Bank of Kigali’s CEO, Dr Diane Karusisi said that this year’s sponsorship value has been increased to one hundred thirty-five million Rwandan Francs (Frw 135,000,000) which will cater for game administration costs of the new five (5) teams that have joined the BK Basketball National League 2019-2020; extension of the 3x3 BK Challenge (U17) from 4 to 6 locations and a contribution to the organisation of games to be played in the Kigali Arena.

Overall, the year has been beneficial to both FERWABA and BK on both the brand side and game side:

• The Basketball game gained more awareness during the play offs with the Kigali Arena filled to full capacity as a result;
• For the first time, Rwanda hosted 3X3 games which is a requirement by FIBA;
• BK gained brand awareness country wide, brand love and product awareness;
• The 3X3 games played by students got the BK brand closer to young people;
• BK gained 22,000 new young clients.