On December 14, 2024 Saint Peter Igihozo hosted a dynamic basketball festival to commemorate International Basketball Day. The event brought together over 200 children under the themes “United on the Court: Promoting Gender Equality and Equity Through Basketball” and “Hoops For All: Inclusion Through Basketball.” The initiative aimed to use basketball as a platform to promote gender equality and equitable opportunities for all.
Organized with the support of FIBA Basketball for Good, in partnership with FERWABA (Rwanda Basketball Federation), the festival was held a week ahead of the Official World Basketball Day on December 21st to maximize participation among children.
Highlighting the event’s impact, Fatuma Mukamugema, a FIBA Ambassador, remarked:
“Basketball is more than just a sport—it is a powerful tool for fostering gender equality, collaboration, and unity. Today, we showcased how boys and girls can come together to connect, share ideas, and enjoy a sport that bridges divide.”
Mukamugema expressed confidence that the success of this event could pave the way for it to become an annual tradition, further solidifying the role of basketball in promoting inclusivity and equity.
The Director of Olympafrica also emphasized the significance of the festival, stating:
“This celebration demonstrated the transformative potential of sports, particularly basketball, in bringing communities together and creating meaningful change.”
The festival included basketball tournaments, team-building activities, traditional Rwandan dance performances, and interactive discussions on gender equality and equity. Participating children had the opportunity to see how basketball can inspire positive and sustainable changes in their lives.
The event was a collaborative effort led by FERWABA, the Olympafrica Center, and Saint Peter Igihozo in Nyanza District. It was spearheaded by Fatuma Mukamugema, one of only seven FIBA Ambassadors across Africa. Mukamugema earned this prestigious role after participating in the FIBA Youth Leaders Training, which brought together young leaders from 13 African countries.
This celebration underscored basketball’s potential as a tool for inclusion and social transformation, setting a foundation for future initiatives to build on this momentum.
