APR BBC has appealed to the Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) to reconsider its decision to suspend two of its players, Ntore Habimana and Axel Olenga Mpoyo, for one year from all basketball-related activities.
The players were suspended after allegedly failing to respond to a call-up to the Rwanda national basketball team ahead of the final round of FIBA World Cup qualifiers held in Luanda, Angola.
APR BBC Secretary General Kalisa Salongo Eric made the appeal in an interview with Rwanda Television, urging the federation to review the decision in the interest of the players’ careers and the wider development of Rwandan basketball.
He said the decision was taken too quickly and without sufficient consultation, noting that APR BBC had already released the players for national team duties after training sessions began on June 19, 2026.
According to him, the players reported to national team training on June 20 but did not fully participate due to injury-related concerns, which he said demonstrated their willingness to respond to the national call-up.
Salongo further argued that FERWABA should have coordinated first with clubs before directly communicating with players regarding national team matters, adding that this contributed to the misunderstanding.
He also disclosed that APR BBC has imposed its own internal disciplinary measures on the two players over what it described as communication outside official club channels.
On reports that the suspension was linked to the players’ inquiries about allowances, Salongo said it is not inappropriate for athletes to seek clarity on match bonuses when representing the national team.
FERWABA has not yet issued a detailed public response to APR BBC’s appeal, but has invited stakeholders to a meeting scheduled for July 8, 2026, to review the matter and determine a possible way forward.
