Bank of Kigali PLC has signed the 2nd year of BK-Rwanda Basketball Federation [FERWABA] sponsorship, and increased the value from Rwf100 million to Rwf 135 million annually. BK also announced the ten league players as bank’s brand ambassadors.
BK and FERWABA and BK signed a Rwf 300 Million partnership in November 2018 as the major sponsor of the national basketball league and other major basketball tournaments for the first three years – till 2021.
During the signing of the renewed partnership which took place at the Bank’s headquarter, CEO Dr. Diane Karusisi said that the bank is confident that the partnership will yield to even greater mutual benefits. She was also thrilled to see the progression and perception of basketball sport by the Rwandan community.
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.
Commenting after the signing, Diane Karusisi said, “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 ambassadors. We will work with them as it is high time sportspeople in Rwanda made comfortable earnings from their talent and hard work,” the CEO added.
Expressing his delight for the extended partnership, President of FERWABA Desire Mugwiza said that they are happy with the increased sponsorship and BK’s active involvement in the development of basketball in Rwanda.
“Not only will this new deal improve the standard of the league, but it will also have great impact on youth basketball.”
The upcoming season will have five new teams; IPRC–Musanze, UR–Remera Campus, Shooting for the Stars, Tigers and Trente Plus.
Reigning champions, Patriots, start their campaign for a third consecutive league title against IPRC–Kigali at 8pm on Friday, while two former champions Espoir and APR will go head-to-head in the season opener at 6pm.
Bank of Kigali’s CEO, Dr Diane Karusisi said that this year’s sponsorship value has been increased to Rwf 135,000,000 to cater for game administration costs of the new five (5) teams that have joined the BK Basketball National League 2019-2020; extension of the 3×3 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.