 president Jean Paul Manirakiza has called on for equality in sports and that women in sports should get equal treatment as their male counterparts.){kind=link}
The Burundi Basketball Federation (FEBABU) president Jean Paul Manirakiza has called for equality in sports and that women in sports should get equal treatment as their male counterparts.
This was during the workshop organized by the Basketball federation to develop women’s basketball clubs in the country on Friday March,25th, 2022.
“Many things were wrong with the clubs. First of all women’s clubs are few, then there is this big challenge of bonuses that they face every time. During tournaments, their awards are lower than the men’s. For example we give vehicles to MVPs but never to women,” said the president of FEBABU.
Jean Paul Manirakiza the president of FEBABU said that he is seeking to ensure the development of women’s basketball clubs in Burundi and that there have been shortcomings by the clubs in prioritizing the tournament.
“A low consideration is attached to women because of stereotypes that they are less efficient than men. We have even noticed that women’s clubs are less funded,” said Mr. Manirakiza.
For former basketball player Chadia Irakoze, women’s basketball won’t have a better performance if they always start in the senior category.
“To improve our game, we need to divide our clubs according to their levels. We need to move from one category to another, from cadets to juniors and from juniors to seniors,” said Mrs. Irakoze.
To promote the rights of women basketball players, all women’s basketball teams were invited to participate in the Planet Media Ladies Cup tournament and provide a framework for the continued development of women’s basketball and show their support.
“From now on, we are raising their prices, they will play for the same prices as the men.”
“It’s also to draw the attention of the people who finance the game. We want to make them aware and make them understand that it is necessary to sponsor women. While allowing them double advertising, including during men’s matches,” said the president of FEBABU.
The first women’s basketball club in Burundi was formed in 1985 albeit the federation having less than 10 clubs and among among which seven of them often participate in the tournaments namely; Aigle Noir from Ngozi but based in Bujumbura, the Gazelles from Bujumbura, Gladiators of Bujumbura, Messenger Ngozi, Lady Dragons, Young Sisters of Ngozi, Rumuri of the University of Burundi.
The Burundi Basketball Federation (FEBABU) dedicated the month of March to the revival of women’s basketball in order to overcome challenges faced by women’s basketball players.