Highlights of the BAL 2022 finals in Kigali Arena from May 21,2022

• A PUBLIC EVENT: The 2022 Basketball Africa League (BAL) finals from May 21 – 28 is going to be open to the public, fans, media, and guests in Rwanda, from across Africa and the world

• HEALTH AND SAFETY: The BAL 2022 finals will be a fully vaccinated event. Fans and visitors attending the games are expected to show proof of vaccination or being fully boosted (if needed). Fans are also required to wear masks for games and events.

• TICKET SALES: Tickets are on sale on https://bal.nba.com/bal-kigali-ticketing. A daily caravan will be on exhibition across Kigali as from May 17 and we will be reaching fans and communities in schools, universities, parks, bus stations until the opening ceremony on May 21.

• IN-ARENA AND FAN ZONE PEFORMANCES: The following performances by A-list artists and groups will be happening during the BAL league championship from May 21 – 28

• DJ Toxxyc (Opening Ceremony on May 21)

One of the most popular disc jockeys in Kigali, Arnold Ishimwe (DJ Toxxyc) first fell in love with playing music while in high school at APE Rugunga High School. He did not wait to finish his studies before he could pursue his passion, and at 20 years of age, was juggling school and spinning discs at the former Ogopogo Nightclub in Kimihurura.

• Mashirika: (Opening Ceremony)

Mashirika known for being at the forefront of using theatre for development and using art in various forms to tell the message of Rwanda, especially, made a play which is so ‘touching and heart melting’.

• Ish Kevin (half-time performance May 21)

Ish Kevin is a true representation of Kigali’s rap community, the mindset of Rwanda’s next generation and the power of collaboration to bring Rwandan music to the world

• Ruti Joel (May 21)

Ruti Joel is a Rwandan musician born in Kigali. He started singing while school. Ruti Joe is a versatile musician who rose to fame with his “Igikobwa” hit song.

• Makeda (May 22 and 25)

Makeda Mahadeo Rwandan disk jockey, producer, and presenter. She has gained popularity on television after she joined CNBC Africa. Makeda also boasts as one of the first female disk jockeys her country produced.

Bushali (May 25)

• Motivated and inspired at age 24 by many American rappers like Young Jeezy, Gucci Mane, and many others, Bushali believed he could integrate American rap into the Rwandan music style. He describes Kinyatrap as “Kinyarwanda hip-hop combined with some melody.

• DJ Marmaud (Fan Zone May 25 & 27)

Arnaud Mugisha Gatera, popularly known as DJ Marnaud, is a recording artist. He is a member of the popular trio, Dream Team DJs. His performance in July 2017 at the KCC was the first major gig that set him on the path of fame.

• Mike Kayihura (May 28)

Kayihura’s passion for singing started at the age of 13 at Christ’s church’s choir in Gacuriro. His parents had a lot of influence and he got inspired to be a singer. He first started as a keyboardist and a singer to a mixture of classics like Bob Marley covers.

• BAL KIGALI FAN ZONE: Join us at the Fan-zone around Kigali Arena (only accessible to ticket holders) and enjoy many activities throughout the evening. The Fan Zone is open and accessible to the public on game days – three hours before tip-off and one hour after the last game.  The fan zone will be accessible via the Amahoro Stadium secondary gate (next to Kigali Arena).

Fun attractions at the Fan Zone:

• 3×3 court, stage & live performances, merchandise store with BAL & REG gear, Visit Rwanda activation area, food court (including BBQ + beer)
• Visit Rwanda will organize different activations to win jerseys, flights to Rwanda
• 3×3 challenge organized by the BAL and FERWABA with Finals played at the Fan Zone on May 28 with the best 10 teams.

• BAL TO CELEBRATE AFRICA DAY 2022: As Africa’s premier Basketball League, BAL will join the continent on May 25 to celebrate.Africa Day is a global commemoration of the founding of the African Union and celebrates the continent’s diversity, success, and cultural impact.
• The league remains committed to use basketball to support Africa’s development agenda by hosting BAL games in iconic African cities; facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services; contributing to local tourism; spurring infrastructure development; and more. BAL teams will don Africa Day t-shirts on May 25 as part of commemorative activities.

ABOUT THE 2022 BAL FINALISTS:

• 2021 BAL champion Zamalek is on an 11-game winning streak in the BAL after winning all five of its games during the Nile Conference group phase.  Zamalek is undefeated in the BAL after finishing last season 6-0 and winning the first BAL championship.

• AS Salé paced the league in scoring (90.8 points per game), led by BAL leading scorer Terrel Stoglin (33.2 ppg) and Amadou Abdoulaye Harouna (19.8 ppg), the highest-scoring duo in the league.

• The Cape Town Tigers, led byBilly Preston (20.3 ppg, third in the league), have featured five players averaging 10 points per game or more, the most of any BAL Playoff team.

• Petro de Luanda has the best scoring differential (+19) of any Playoff team, scoring 84.2 points per game and allowing a league-low 65.2 points per game.

• US Monastir’s Ater James Majok, who led the BAL with 13.2 rebounds per game, recorded 15 or more rebounds in three different games.

• REG, which will be playing in front of a home crowd, is led by floor general Adonis Filer, who dished out a league-high 9.2 assists per game.

• S.L.A.C’s Marcus Christopher Crawford, a former University of Memphis standout, averaged 21.4 points per game, the second most in the league.

• FAP has four players who averaged five or more rebounds per game and leads all BAL Playoff teams in offensive rebounding with 20.4 per game, 7 more than their opponents averaged.

Photo: Online