Shooting Touch Rwanda Hosts First-Ever ‘Let it fly classic’, empowering youth through basketball, education, and culture

KIGALI, RWANDA, July 5, 2025, Shooting Touch Rwanda (STR), in partnership with Let It Fly Classic, Our Past Initiative, and Zaria Court, has successfully launched its inaugural “Shooting Touch x Let It Fly” Basketball Tournament, a community-driven event that merged sports with education, gender equality, and cultural celebration.

Held at the newly inaugurated Zaria Court in Kigali, the tournament drew over 300 attendees, including youth, families, and basketball enthusiasts from across the country. The event featured under-16 and under-18 basketball competitions for both girls and boys, along with music and dance performances, fashion and art showcases, and exciting prize contests.

A Platform for Opportunity

Sixty-four youth athletes from Rwanda’s Eastern Province, all of whom participate in STR’s daily sport-for-development programs, traveled to Kigali to compete and connect. Representing the six rural sectors where STR operates, Mayange, Rilima, Mukarange, Nyamirama, Rukara, and Rwinkwavu, the players engaged in a day of competitive play and personal growth.

Four competitive matches showcased elite youth talent in the U16 Girls, U18 Girls, U16 Boys, and U18 Boys categories. Talent scouts attended the event with the aim of identifying players for athletic scholarships and future opportunities. At the close of the tournament, four Most Valuable Players (MVPs) were awarded RWF 500,000 each for educational support, thanks to sponsorship from Kyle Umemba, co-founder of Let It Fly Classic.

The MVP awardees were:

Mutesi Aline – Mukarange (U16 Girls)

Niyonkuru Eric – Nyamirama (U16 Boys)

Tumukunde Sandrine – Rilima (U18 Girls)

Tuyizere Aaron – Rukara (U18 Boys)

Celebrating Role Models and Community Impact

Distinguished guests at the event included Coach James Maye of APR and former APR coach Fenan Atobrhan, currently coaching in the NBA Summer League with the Houston Rockets. A special moment came when Brigitte Nibishaka, Shooting Touch alumna and MVP of the Rwandan Professional Basketball League, addressed the crowd. She inspired young athletes with her personal journey, which began in Rukara with Shooting Touch.

Denise Uwase, STR’s Community Engagement Coordinator for Kayonza District, highlighted the significance of the event during her opening remarks:

“For over 14 years, Shooting Touch has served Rwanda’s rural communities, from Nyamirama to Rwinkwavu, Mukarange to Mayange. Through sport, we’ve opened doors to health education, mentorship, leadership, and empowerment. Events like this one reinforce our contribution to Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), especially in building human capital and promoting gender equity.”

STR is recognized as an international NGO by the Government of Rwanda and collaborates closely with the Ministries of Health and Sport. Through basketball, STR promotes health, gender equity, and socio-economic mobility in underserved rural areas.

Fusing Sport with Culture

Beyond the games, the event became a celebration of Rwanda’s vibrant cultural identity. Local artists and brands such as Lunaroot, Bone, Native, GAË2AN, and Manishart showcased their work in pop-up shops, gaining visibility and support.

The crowd was energized by live performances from popular artists Shemi and Bruce The First, dancers from the Sherrie Silver Foundation, and DJs Ira and Niny. MC Rocky.Try kept the audience engaged throughout the day.

This fusion of sport, music, fashion, and community underscores STR’s holistic approach: nurturing not just athletes, but leaders, creators, and change-makers.