It was on a Saturday evening, my friends and I had decided to go to an all-star game at BK Arena. The atmosphere was vibrant. Fans were excited about that all-star basketball game.
Basketball has grown more and more popular in Rwanda ever since the Basketball Africa League (BAL) came to Rwanda in 2019. It has been even more thrilling for Rwandans to see their teams play.
In that particular all-star game that saw Axel Mpoyo and Steven Hagumintwari play against each other, in the 2nd quarter break of the match, the arena buzzed with excitement, and the crowd murmured as a team of 8 girls and 7 boys entered the scene. The first-ever Rwandan cheerleaders were introduced.
Rwanda’s audience was no stranger to the colorful performance. Hollywood has made the performance well-known. Songs like Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” have made the performance all the more popular worldwide.
I remember having a conversation about it with my friends. Despite this being their first public performance, they were natural, the choreography was captivating, and I could not take my eyes off them.
It is fair to say the new dance art was well received by the Rwandan audience, given the “Go girls” chants that were flying around Arena that evening. Team Mpoyo won the game with 126 points.
I was intrigued and set out to find out more about Rwanda’s first-ever cheerleader team. I sat with the founder, Niyonkuru Djihad, a calm, 25 year-old. We sat on two white chairs at Club Rafiki, Nyamirambo, he went on to tell me the story of the Xtreme cheerleader club dance for two hours.
“Our goal is to perform as often as we can, build confidence among the members, and eventually become Rwanda’s first national cheerleader team,” Niyunkuru tells me with excitement.
Niyonkuru founded Ishami Talents, the parent company of the Xtreme Cheerleaders, in 2022. To date, they have performed in different tournaments first in 2017 at a basketball match at Amahoro Petit Stade. The biggest performance was at the BAL all-star game, then came, the Afro Basketball, Giants of Africa, Playoffs, FIBA Africa, and Women’s Basketball.
“The women’s cheerleader team in Rwanda has the potential to make a significant impact because it is new and it is doing something different and unusual to Rwandans by challenging norms, promoting inclusion, and empowering women both on and off the field,” Niyonkuru says when asked what opportunities are there in cheerleading.
The cheerleading team in a country that prioritizes women’s rights and empowerment serves as a microcosm of the broader societal values of respect, support, and exclusivity, promoting these principles both within the team and in the community at large.
The young women’s cheerleader team can leverage this platform and influence to make a meaningful impact on important social causes in the local community, contributing to the broader goals of empowerment, equality, and social justice.
“Cheerleading allows women to exhibit their talents and abilities in an often male-dominated area of sports and entertainment. This exposure defies prejudices and illustrates that women can flourish in physically demanding and high-profile positions.
I also think that female cheerleaders can serve as role models for other women and girls in Rwanda, showing them that they can pursue their passions and break barriers in any field they choose. Seeing women confidently perform athletic feats and lead teams can inspire others to challenge societal norms and pursue their ambitions,” says Sabine, a vibrant 24-year-old cheerleader who recently joined the team.
Next to her was Noella, another cheerleader. I could hear her murmuring about how challenging it was for her to be a cheerleader.
“We do not receive the same level of recognition or respect as other sports or activities This lack of recognition makes it challenging for us to gain support from our communities or receive funding and resources. I have to deal with gender norms and society’s expectations as a young woman cheerleader.” Noella, 22, recounts.
Caessy, 18, another cheerleader joined the conversation and added a more personal note that the team has given her a home and a sense of purpose.
“The cheerleader’s team brings a sense of belonging to all the girls in the team and improves their self-esteem, creativity, and a sense of purpose. This creates strong, dedicated women in the long run, a stronger community in general. We hope that with great performances, recognition, and respect will will be earned,” Caessy says.
The Xtreme team is full of hope, vibrant, and a strong need to bring change. Thanks to their drive, a Rwandan girl somewhere will dream of making a career out of cheerleading, in addition to a long list of dream options.
