After a historic victory that noticed the RSSB Tigers topped champions of the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL), sports activities officers and fanatics throughout Rwanda and past despatched heartfelt congratulatory messages to the staff.
The ultimate was witnessed by a packed BK Enviornment, as coach Henry Mwinuka’s facet edged out Angola’s Petro de Luanda 90-88 in a intently contested showdown.
Followers’ and officers’ reactions:
Rwanda’s Minister of Sports activities, Nelly Mukazayire, took to X to congratulate the Tigers on their landmark achievement, writing:
“Victory for Rwanda’s kids, what pleasure and journey. RSSB Tigers, thanks for representing the nation. We’re happy with you.”
Intsinzi bana b’u Rwanda!
Mbega ibyishimo, mbega urugendo! RSSB TIGERS, mwakoze kwimana u Rwanda . Dutewe ishema namwe!
Ubu dufite igikombe cy'irushanwa, igikombe cy’umukinnyi w’irushanwa (MVP) Craig Randall II ndetse n’ igikombe cy’umutoza w’umwaka (Coach of the yr),… https://t.co/3d5pLiVnCF
— Nelly Mukazayire (@nmukazayire) Might 31, 2026
Rwandan basketball legend Aristide Mugabe expressed gratitude on his Instagram story, thanking Tigers captain Antino Jackson and Dieudonné Ndayisaba, each of whom beforehand performed for Patriots Basketball Membership.
The Nationwide Basketball Affiliation (NBA) additionally issued a short congratulatory message, stating:
“Congrats to the RSSB Tigers on profitable the 2026 BAL championship.”
Congrats to the RSSB Tigers on profitable the 2026 BAL Championship https://t.co/RIeDQhWqSr
— NBA (@NBA) Might 31, 2026
Different sports activities executives additionally reacted to the historic win through their X accounts. Amongst them was Clare Akamanzi, CEO of NBA Africa, who wrote:
“Thanks, Rwanda! What a journey. We have fun a season that shattered information throughout each main metric, from attendance and viewership to engagement and influence.”
Thanks, Rwanda! What a journey. We have fun a season that shattered information throughout each main metric, from attendance and viewership to engagement and influence.The way forward for basketball in Africa has by no means been brighter and we’re simply getting began. #BAL6
— Clare Akamanzi (@cakamanzi) Might 31, 2026
The CEO of the Rwanda Social Safety Board (RSSB), Régis Rugemanshuro, additionally celebrated the triumph, posting:
“Rwanda, we did it! Congratulations to the RSSB Tigers and essentially the most superb followers.”
RWANDA, WE DID IT! CONGRATULATIONS TO THE RSSB TIGERS @tigersbbc AND THE MOST AMAZING FANS! #CHAMPIONS #BAL6 #HISTORY @theBAL https://t.co/yaketNsQNm
— Regis Rugemanshuro (@Regis_Rugema) Might 31, 2026
Christine Nkulikiyinka, Minister of Public Service and Labour, additionally congratulated the staff on X, writing:
“We’re the champions. Congratulations and thanks for a implausible recreation. So nicely deserved.”
Igikombe NICYACUUU!
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS #BAL2026
Congratulations and thanks for a implausible recreation @tigersbbc. So nicely deserved!!! pic.twitter.com/LJo2P3r7eS
— C. Nkulikiyinka (@CNkulikiyinka) Might 31, 2026
The victory marks a historic milestone, as RSSB Tigers turned the primary Rwandan membership to win the BAL title because the competitors started six years in the past.
