By Rachel Ndjondjo
After attending a World Cup qualifying match between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Jamaica, Gégé Kizubanata spoke with renewed conviction about the power of sport — not just to unite fans, but to rebuild lives.
“Moments like that remind you what sport can represent for a nation,” Kizubanata told Amjambo Africa. “But beyond the stadium, there are people who are still fighting to live with dignity. That is where our work continues.”
A former Congolese international athlete, Kizubanata has built a second career as a sports leader and advocate for inclusion. He is the founder of the Fondation Gégé Kizubanata and serves as Central Region chairperson for the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation, a role that has made him a recognized figure in the development of adaptive sports across Africa.
His foundation focuses in part on supporting people wounded by war in eastern Congo, many of whom live with permanent disabilities and limited access to resources. “For us, it’s not just about giving a wheelchair,” he said. “It’s about giving someone a future, a role in society, and the possibility to compete and to dream again.”
Kizubanata’s journey began far from boardrooms and advocacy platforms. After experimenting with sports such as swimming and table tennis, he discovered basketball while in Brussels. Upon returning to Kinshasa, he quickly rose through the ranks, catching the attention of Dikembe Mutombo, the former NBA star and humanitarian known globally for his defensive dominance and philanthropic work in Africa.
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With Mutombo’s guidance, Kizubanata built an international playing career that lasted more than 16 years across several countries. He later pursued studies in sports marketing and business administration, preparing for life beyond competition.
Between 2017 and 2018, he returned to the Democratic Republic of the Congo with a clear mission: to develop sports structures and expand opportunities, particularly for people with disabilities.
Today, he leads efforts to promote wheelchair basketball as a competitive and professional discipline. “Too often, people see disability before they see talent,” he said. “We are working to change that mindset. These are athletes first.”
His work now extends beyond Africa. In the United States, Kizubanata has partnered with members of the Congolese diaspora, including Dinha William Bilimba, founder of the nonprofit ELEMBO USA, based in Lewiston, Maine. Together, they have led initiatives aimed at supporting displaced communities in eastern Congo, particularly those living in camps amid ongoing conflict.
“Our collaboration is about building bridges,” Bilimba told Amjambo Africa. “We want people here in Maine to understand that they can have a direct impact on lives back home.” In Maine, their joint efforts have included fundraising, awareness campaigns, and community engagement to support humanitarian and sports-based initiatives in conflict-affected regions.
Bilimba described Kizubanata as a leader who combines vision with action. “He doesn’t just talk about change — he organizes, he mobilizes, and he follows through,” Bilimba said.
Despite progress, Kizubanata acknowledges significant challenges. Wheelchair basketball requires specialized equipment that remains expensive and difficult to access in many parts of Africa. In addition, adapted sports often struggle for recognition as competitive disciplines.
Still, he points to the lives already transformed through his work. “I have seen young people who had lost hope find purpose again,” he said. “Some are now able to support their families. That is the real victory.”
His presence at international matches, including the recent DRC-Jamaica World Cup qualifier, reflects his continued connection to elite sport and his desire to link high-level competition with grassroots impact. “We celebrate our national teams, and we should,” he said. “But we must also invest in those who are left behind. Sport must be for everyone.”
For Kizubanata, the mission remains clear: to use sport not only as a platform for excellence, but as a pathway to dignity, inclusion, and long-term social change.
