Iriza brings together former women’s basketball players from Burundi who competed across generations. We played for different teams, met as rivals in the national league and shaped our identities through years of dedication to the sport.

Iriza is the first team of its kind, a collective of ex players now living across Europe, Canada, the United States and Africa who come together on one roster. Our name reflects the idea of a first born calf, a symbol of a meaningful beginning, which mirrors our role as the first women’s basketball conglomerate team from our era.

Our first gatherings took place in The Hague and Geneva. These reunions brought us back to the court, where we formed teams among ourselves and played to reconnect, honour our shared history and celebrate the game that shaped us.

Iriza exists to celebrate our roots, strengthen our community across continents and contribute to the growth of women’s basketball for the next generation.