Rwanda Basketball Federation (Ferwaba) has hailed national coach Moise Mutokambali for guiding the team to a 10th place finish in the 2013 Afrobasket championship held in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire last month.
Twenty countries took part in the tournament.
Speaking at a news conference early this week, the federation secretary general Richard Mutabazi said, “The team and coach did fairly a good job, they did what they could in the available means.”
“Considering that this was the team’s first appearance at the continental showpiece, we are encouraged with their performance and pledge to support them so they can continue to improve,” he added.
He said the federation will endeavour to avail more training opportunities for the coaching staff.
Mutokamabali was satisfied with his players’ display but urged stakeholders to pull in the same direction, and cited the need to nurture a young generation of players who will take the country to the next championship in 2015.
“We need to continue working hard; the players did their best, I am satisfied with their performance. Going forward, we need to make a regular follow-up on players and prepare them for future competitions.”
Rwanda, which was representing Zone V for a fourth consecutive time, alongside Egypt, finished tenth, two places better than their 2011 finish in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
Their best ever performance was in the 2009 edition in Libya when they finished in ninth place.
By Bonnie Mugabe & Peter Kamasa,The New Times