SEED project and FERWABA announce inaugural elite basketball camp in Rwanda

A significant step forward for youth basketball development in Rwanda was announced today with the launch of the inaugural SEED Project Rwanda Elite Basketball Camp. This landmark initiative, a partnership between the SEED Project and the Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA), will take place on Sunday, May 18, at Petit Stade .

The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two organizations, solidifying their commitment to nurturing young talent.

The one-day, high-intensity camp will gather 50 of Rwanda's most promising basketball players, both boys and girls aged 14 to 18, from across the nation.

The program, running from 9 am to 2 pm , will focus on enhancing their skills, fostering leadership qualities, and supporting their long-term growth as players and individuals.

This initiative falls under the umbrella of 'Growing SEED 2030', a comprehensive, multi-year strategic partnership aimed at cultivating Rwanda’s basketball ecosystem from the grassroots level to the elite ranks. Leveraging SEED’s extensive two-decade history of impactful work across Africa, the program uniquely blends sports training with educational opportunities and character development, with the goal of shaping future leaders through the sport of basketball.

Ahmed Awadallah, Chair of the SEED Foundation Board, emphasized the broader vision behind the camp, stating, “This is more than just a camp—it represents a crucial national investment in the future of Rwanda’s young leaders and athletes. Our aim is to build a sustainable pipeline of talent and create lasting opportunities for these promising individuals.”

The camp boasts an impressive lineup of renowned coaches, including:

1. Technical Director & Consultant:Bill Banyo (USA), a veteran in African basketball development with over two decades of experience mentoring elite talent and working with NBA Academy and APR Basketball.

2. Head Coach:Cheikh Sarr (Senegal), the Head Coach of the Rwanda National Team and a highly respected figure in African basketball coaching.

3. Court Coaches: Jason Sautter (USA), an accomplished coach with experience at NCAA and junior college levels and a strong international track record;

4. Julian Martinez (Spain), Head Coach of REG Women and the Mozambique national team; Ogoh Odaudu (Nigeria), Head Coach of Rivers Hoopers and Assistant Coach for Nigeria’s national team; Aristide Mugabe (Rwanda), an iconic Rwandan point guard and influential role model; and Mohamed Rezk (Egypt), a national youth coach and REG staff member with extensive experience in African player development.

5. Performance & Conditioning Coach:Hussein Abdeldayem (Egypt), an Olympic-level strength and conditioning coach with a proven track record across Africa and the Middle East.

Désiré Mugwiza, President of the Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA), expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “SEED Project has a proven track record of nurturing young talent across the continent into elite basketball players and future leaders. We are thrilled about this sustainable partnership and its potential to further develop a thriving elite basketball ecosystem in Rwanda.”

A story by Ballerzone.