The RNOSC President receives in his offices the Chargé d’Affaires in the Embassy of Japan to Rwanda.

Today, 04th December 2019, The President of Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee, Amb. Valens Munyabagisha receives in his offices the Chargé d’Affaires in the Embassy of Japan to Rwanda, Ms. Yuko Hotta.

The RNOSC President, Amb. Valens Munyabagisha having meeting with the Chargé d’Affaires in the Embassy of Japan to Rwanda, Ms. Yuko Hotta in his offices.

The visit aims at boosting the bilateral relations of two institutions, preparing together the visit of Mr. Ryosuke Ando from Japanese Olympic Games Cabinet Secretariat to the RNOSC which is scheduled on 23rd December 2019 and donation ceremony of some equipment to Rwanda Triathlon Federation. They have also discussed about the preparations of Rwandan delegation for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

In May 2018, The Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee signed a memorandum of understanding with Hachimantai city of Japan ahead of preparations for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The first phase of training camp of Team Rwanda in Hachimantai as part of this agreement which took place from 21 July 2019 to the 15th August 2019 has already immensely contributed to the good performance of Rwandan Cycling and Beach Volleyball Teams in All African Games which held in Rabat, Morocco from 19-31 August 2019 where they took home 3 bronze medals respectively.

The second phase is set to take place in the same city, Hachimantai in June 2020 before the Olympic Games.

The RNOSC President Amb. Valens Munyabagisha.

The Chargé d’Affaires in the Embassy of Japan to Rwanda, Ms. Yuko Hotta.

The Head of Political and Economic Section/Embassy of Japan in Rwanda, Ms. Mai Makizono.

The RNOSC Executive Director, Jean de Dieu Mukundiyukuri. 

Group photo.

Sport events of this week of 02-08 December 2019.

  1. Rwanda Handball Federation 

Rwanda has been confirmed as the hosts of the 38th East and Central Africa Handball Federation (ECAHF) Senior Club Championship 2019 due December 2-7.

The regional championship will attract top clubs from Kenya, Tanzania, DRC, Uganda, Zambia and Rwanda in the men’s category, while the women’s competition, also to be held in Kigali, will be contested by teams from Uganda, Tanzania, Yasmin, Kenya and Rwanda.

The games will be hosted at two venues; Kimisagara Youth Centre courts and the Amahoro National Stadium.

2. Rwanda Basketball Federation 

Sport Events of this week of 25 Nov 2019 to 01 Dec 2019.

  1. Rwanda Tennis Federation

Rwanda Open Full program: 

  • Friday 22/11/2019: 11h: 00: (Press Conference)
  • Sunday 24/11/2019: 10h00: Opening   Match Amateurs/Remera
  • Monday: 25/11/2019: 09h00: Opening   Match Professionals/Remera                                                                                                                                                       CSK, Nyarutarama T.C & Remera
  • Tuesday: 26/11/2019: 09h00 – 15h00:  Match Professionals/ Remera

                                                       16h00 – 20h00:  Match Amateurs – CSK, Nyarutarama T.C & Remera 

  • Wednesday: 27/11/2019: 09h00 –  15h00:  Match Professionals /Remera

                                                               16h00 – 20h00:  Match Amateurs

                                                              CSK, Nyarutarama T.C & Remera

  • Thursday: 28/11/2019: 09h00 –  15h00:  Match Professionals /Remera

                                                           16h00 – 20h00:  Match Amateurs-  CSK, Nyarutarama T.C & Remera

  • Friday: 29/11/209: 10h00 – 15h00: Matches ¼ Finals/ Remera  
  • Saturday: 30/11/2019: 11h00 – 14h00: Matches ½ / Remera
  • Sunday: 01/12/2019: 10h00-13h00:Matches Finales (Closing ceremony)

  2. Rwanda Handball Federation 

Rwanda has been confirmed as the hosts of the 38th East and Central Africa Handball Federation (ECAHF) Senior Club Championship 2019 due December 2-7.

The regional championship will attract top clubs from Kenya, Tanzania, DRC, Uganda, Zambia and Rwanda in the men’s category, while the women’s competition, also to be held in Kigali, will be contested by teams from Uganda, Tanzania, DR Congo, Kenya and Rwanda.

The games will be hosted at two venues; Kimisagara Youth Centre courts and the Amahoro National Stadium.

3. Rwanda Basketball Federation 

On this Friday, 29 November 2019, the finals of Agaciro Basketball Tournament 2019 will take place at Kigali Arena.

Handball: Rwanda to host regional handball tournament.

Rwanda has been confirmed as the hosts of the 38th East and Central Africa Handball Federation (ECAHF) Senior Club Championship 2019 due December 2-7.

The regional championship will attract top clubs from Kenya, Tanzania, DRC, Uganda, Zambia and Rwanda in the men’s category, while the women’s competition, also to be held in Kigali, will be contested by teams from Uganda, Tanzania, DR Congo, Kenya and Rwanda.

The games will be hosted at two venues; Kimisagara Youth Centre courts and the Amahoro National Stadium.

In an interview with Times Sport on Tuesday, Jean Paul Ngarambe, the Secretary-General of Rwanda Handball Federation, said that “It is a pleasure to host the tournament again” having previously organised it in 2004 and 2015.

As the hosts, Rwanda will field three teams in the men’s category; champions Police, APR and Gicumbi, while only UR-Rukara will represent in women’s fray.

Police won the men’s title in 2015 when the tournament was last held in Rwanda.

“Source: The New Times.”

Sport Events of this week of 18-24 Nov 2019.

1. Rwanda Football Federation

The Rwanda Premier League  resumes on this Thursday 21 Nov 2019 with Match Day 9 Fixtures.

In addition, from 24-30 Nov 2019, FERWAFA will be hosting the FIFA workshop for National Technical Directors with participation of Secretaries General from different countries. 


2. Rwanda Association for the Promotion of Sports among Workers (ARPST)

ARPST is hosting the following matches for public and private institutions in this coming weekend:

On Friday, 22 November 2019:

  • Football

REG vs MINECOFIN (at IPRC Kigali from 03:30pm)

WASAC VS RWANDAIR (at CSK from 03:30pm)

RSB V RSSB (at MUMENA from 03:30)

  • Basketball 

Men: RWANDAIR VS PRIMATURE (at NPC Gymnasium from 04:30pm)

Women: UR VS REG (at KIST from 03:30pm)

  • Volleyball 

Men: MIFOTRA VS NIDA (at Petit Stade from 03:30pm)

Women: RRA VS MOD (at NPC Gymnasium from 03:30pm)

On Saturday, 23 November 2019:

  • Football

EQUITY VS AJESPOR (at MUMENA from 11:00am)

  • Basketball

EQUITY  VS BK (at CSK from 10:00am)

KCB VS SKOL (at NPC Gymnasium from 10:00am)


3. National Paralympic Committee – Rwanda

From 23-24 November, NPC Rwanda is hosting the first phase of Sitting Volleyball National Championship 2019-2020 with 18 teams on men’s side and 12 teams on women’s side will participate at this annual event which will take place in Huye district, UR gymnasium. 

Suit of Matches

  • Men
  1. Gisagara – Nyanza
  2. Gasabo – Muhanga
  3. Kicukiro – Nyamasheke
  4. Rubavu – Burera
  5. Musanze – Huye
  6. Gatsibo – Rulindo
  7. Karongi – Ngoma
  8. Gicumbi – Ruhango
  9. Rusizi – Rutsiro
  10. Gisagara – Muhanga
  11. Nyanza – Nyamasheke
  12. Gasabo – Burera
  13. Kicukiro – Huye
  14. Rubavu – Rulindo
  15. Musanze – Ngoma
  16. Gatsibo – Ruhango
  17. Karongi – Rutsiro
  18. Gicumbi – Rusizi
  19. Gisagara – Nyamasheke
  20. Muhanga – Burera
  21. Nyanza – Huye
  22. Gasabo – Rulindo
  23. Kicukiro – Ngoma
  24. Rubavu – Ruhango
  25. Musanze – Rutsiro
  26. Gatsibo – Rusizi
  27. Karongi – Gicumbi
  28. Gisagara – Burera
  29. Nyamasheke – Huye
  30. Muhanga – Rulindo
  31. Nyanza – Ngoma
  32. Gasabo – Ruhango
  33. Kicukiro – Rutsiro
  34. Rubavu – Rusizi
  35. Musanze – Gicumbi
  36. Gatsibo – Karongi
  37. Gisagara – Huye
  38. Burera – Rulindo
  • Women
  1. Bugesera – Nyanza
  2. Gicumbi – Ngoma
  3. Gasabo – Nyamasheke
  4. Nyarugenge – Rubavu
  5. Ruhango – Rulindo
  6. Gakenke – Musanze
  7. Bugesera – Ngoma
  8. Nyanza – Nyamasheke
  9. Gicumbi – Rubavu
  10. Gasabo – Rulindo
  11. Nyarugenge – Musanze
  12. Ruhango – Gakenke
  13. Bugesera – Nyamasheke
  14. Ngoma – Rubavu
  15. Nyanza – Rulindo
  16. Gicumbi – Musanze
  17. Gasabo – Gakenke
  18. Nyarugenge – Ruhango

4. Rwanda Cycling Federation

  • Official Presentation of Tour Du Rwanda 2020 (Feb 23 – March 01) on this Thursday, 21 Nov at KIM Hotel.
  • Training course for commissaires
  • Rwanda Cycling Federation is organizing the Rwanda Cycling Cup 2019, FARMERS RACE on this Saturday, 23rd November 2019 in Musanze district.


5. Rwanda Volleyball Federation


6. Rwanda Cricket Association 

Commercial bank of Africa T10 knock out tournament from 23-24 November 2019.


7. Rwanda Basketball Federation

FERWABA is hosting the “Agaciro Basketball Tournament 2019” from 22-29 November 2019.

Teams to compete by categories:

  • Men (Patriots BBC, REG BBC, APR Men BBC and ESPOIR BBC)
  • Women (APR Ladies BBC, The Hoops BBC, RP-IPRC Huye and UBUMWE BBC)
  • Youth  U17: Group A (Elite BBC, RAFIKI Kids and VJN Rubavu) – Group B (Shooting Touch, Gikondo Boys and The Hoops)

Games fixtures of 22nd Nov:

  • U17 (Group A)

Elite BBC vs RAFIKI Kids (At Petit Stade from 04:00pm)

  • Women

APR Ladies BBC vs UBUMWE BBC (At Petit Stade from 06:00pm)

  • Men

PATRIOTS BBC vs ESPOIR BBC (At Petit Stade from 08:00pm)

Games fixtures of 23rd Nov:

  • U17 (Group A)

GIKONDO Boys vs The Hoops (At Petit Stade from 04:00pm)

  • Women

The Hoops BBC vs RP-IPRC Huye (At Petit Stade from 06:00pm)

  • Men

REG BBC vs APR Men BBC (At Petit Stade from 08:00pm)


8. Rwanda Chess Federation

From the 23rd to the 24th of November, Rwanda Chess Federation is hosting the 2019 Youth Chess Championship (Under 18) at IPRC Kigali from 09:00am every day.


9. Rwanda Rugby Federation

The Rugby National Team will face Ivory Coast for the second Rugby Africa Cup (RAC) 2020 elimination stage match on Saturday, 23 November at the Bingerville Stadium in Abidjan.


10. Rwanda Swimming Federation

  • On this 23rd November 2019, the Swimming Federation is hosting the Inter-club Swimming Competition for youth aged under 15 at Green Hills Academy.
  • The National Team is also having an intensive training from 22-27 Nov ahead of 5th CANA Zone III Championships, 28 Nov – 1 Dec 2019, Nairobi.

Rwandan strikes silver at Athens Marathon 2019.

Rwanda’s long distance runner Felicien Muhitira has won a silver medal at the 37th Athens Classic Marathon after finishing second on Sunday, in Greece.

Muhitira, 25, led the race from the off and was in command until the 600 metres mark to the line when Kenya’s John Kipkorir Komen sprinted past him to strike gold.

Komen won the 42km marathon in two hours, 16 minutes and 34 seconds, nine seconds ahead of Muhitira who was the only Rwandan in the race. Greek Konstantinos Gkelaouzos (2:19:02) finished third to settle for bronze.

In the women’s event, home athlete Eleftheria Petroulaki was the champion after using two hours, 45 minutes and 50 seconds.

Regarded as one of the finest distance athletes has had over the last decade, Muhitira is a household name at French half-marathon race Marvejols-Mende following his third consecutive victory in July.

This year’s Athens Classic attracted about 20,000 participants from across the world. 

[Article Source: The New Times].

LAUSANNE 2020 COMPETITION SCHEDULE UNVEILED.

THE OFFICIAL COMPETITION SCHEDULE OF THE LAUSANNE 2020 WINTER YOUTH OLYMPIC GAMES WAS RELEASED BY THE ORGANISING COMMITTEE. WITH THE FIRST COMPETITIONS KICKING OFF IN LES DIABLERETS, VILLARS AND LAUSANNE ON JANUARY 10TH, 2020, THE DAY AFTER THE OPENING CEREMONY IN LAUSANNE AND CONTINUING UNTIL THE CLOSING CEREMONY ON JANUARY 22ND.

The schedule is out and promises to be intense. Overall, a total of 81 competitions will be held at eight different sites over the 13 days following the Opening Ceremony. One of the main features of Lausanne 2020 will be its two-wave organisation system, an innovative solution designed to significantly increase hosting capacity by allowing each “wave” of athletes to have a shorter stay on-site. As a result, a grand total of 1880 athletes, of which a gender equal representation of 940 males and 940 females are expected to take part in the Games, allowing for exemplary diversity and a high quality of competitions.

Virginie Faivre, President of Lausanne 2020: “As an athlete, this is when it all starts to feel real. Knowing the date, the time and the place of each competition brings an indescribable feeling of excitement.  The countdown starts now and the next few months of training will be decisive. I can only wish all the young athletes and their teams the best of luck in these last moments of preparation. They can count on the amazing work of Lausanne 2020’s staff and volunteers to make these Games incredible and a memory which they will treasure forever.”

The first wave of competitions will kick-off with alpine skiing in Les Diablerets, biathlon in Les Tuffes and ski mountaineering, which will be making its debut in the Olympic Games, in Villars. Lausanne will be the host of figure skating and mixed NOC 3-on-3 ice hockey, a new competition format proposed and developed by the International Ice Hockey Federation and Lausanne 2020. This first wave of competitions will also be marked by four days of speed skating on the frozen lake of St-Moritz.

January 16th will ring the transition to the second wave of competitions and young athletes. St-Moritz’s historic natural Olympia Bob Run will host its first luge, bobsleigh and skeleton Olympic competitions since 1948. The French station of Les Tuffes will welcome ski testosterone and Nordic combined, while its Swiss neighbour, Vallée de Joux, will host cross-country skiing. Freestyle skiing and snowboard will take place in Villars and Leysin.  As for Lausanne, it will stage five days of 6-team tournaments in ice hockey and the short track speed skating competitions.

Curling will run across the whole Games Time, taking place in Champéry from January 10th to 22nd. The Games will come to an end with the Closing Ceremony to be held at the Medals Plaza, in Lausanne, on January 22nd.

Simone Righenzi, Head of Sports of Lausanne 2020: “This competition schedule is a labour of love that is three years in the making, and we have design it in the best way possible to meet the needs of every stakeholder. We are incredibly proud of the work that has been done and now that the schedule has been revealed to the public, we are looking forward to activating each competition site during Games time. We hope that audiences at home in Switzerland and abroad will enjoy the competitions and that these young athletes will be inspired to write an unforgettable page of their career.”

Lausanne 2020 is proud to be able to offer all sports competitions free of charge.  In line with its commitment to sustainability, Lausanne 2020 encourages all visitors to opt for public transport to access the venues.

For the detailed competition schedule, please click here.

Source: IOC Media

H.E Paul Kagame invites world leaders for CHOGM 2020.

President Paul Kagame on Tuesday officially invited world leaders to the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) which will be hosted in Rwanda in June next year.

In a video message, President Paul Kagame and Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland announced that CHOGM 2020 will be held at the Kigali Convention Centre during the week starting June 22, around the theme ‘Delivering A Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming’.

President Kagame said it will be a great pleasure to welcome leaders of the Commonwealth when they gather in Kigali, highlighting that Rwanda will work hard to make everybody feel Rwanda is an extension of their home.

Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 53 independent and equal sovereign states and all Heads of State for these countries are expected to attend.

Kagame particularly indicated that the unique tenor of the CHOGM 2020 will be the focus on youth empowerment, especially through leveraging technology.

“The distinctive aspect of CHOGM 2020 will be connectivity including what young people can do with technology to create vibrant societies and develop our economies,” he noted in a video posted on Tuesday evening.

The Head of State made case for the youth and argued that it was important to look at them as an important and productive asset to transform economies across the world.

“There is no way we can see our young people as a liability. For a very clear reason, they are a huge asset and opportunity. Seeing them as liability would be a failure on our part,” he noted.

Creating the kind of environment that adds a lot of value to this asset of young people, he added, would be done through the provision of skills, access to technology and having them get involved more in value chains across the world.

According to the statement from the Secretariat, five sub-themes have been identified for discussion: Governance and Rule of Law, ICT & Innovation, Youth, Environment, and Trade.

The Commonwealth is a political organization most of whom are former colonies of Britain.

Rwanda, which joined the grouping in November 2009, is one of only two Commonwealth member countries with no colonial ties with the United Kingdom – the other being Mozambique.

The Commonwealth is home to 2.4 billion people and includes both advanced economies and developing countries.

Building on progress since CHOGM 2018 in London, leaders are expected to discuss ways the contemporary Commonwealth can transform societies, in accordance with Commonwealth Charter values of democracy, multilateralism, sustainable development, and empowerment of women and youth.

Secretary-General Scotland stated: “I think the youth demographic we have now is a real opportunity.  It’s going to be a very exciting chance for us to enable our young people to develop and deploy the skills they need so they can fulfil their potential.

“By connecting, innovating and transforming, the Commonwealth opens up scope for mobilising the talent of people of all ages and backgrounds.”

As well as the meeting of heads of government, the week will include a meeting of foreign ministers and forums to engage young people, civil society, women and the business community.

Earlier this year, Foreign Affairs minister Dr Richard Sezibera had reiterated Rwanda’s readiness to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2020.

A package of Rwf8 billion had been set aside to host the summit.

//Content of The New Times.

Sitting volleyball: Rwanda secure ticket to Tokyo 2020.

RWANDA’s women sitting volleyball team has sealed their slot at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, in Japan, after beating Egypt to win the African championships on Tuesday.

Rwanda’s Female Sitting Volleyball Team celebrating after receiving the trophy/Photo: Ngendahimana Samuel-The New Times.

As was the case during the quadrennial event’s 2016 edition in Brazil, Rwanda will be the sole African team in women’s sitting volleyball at the Games.

In the match which took place at Amahoro Indoor Stadium, Rwanda fought back to win the thrilling game in four sets after losing the opening set 25-22.

Coached by Egypt-born tactician Mosaad Rashad Elaiuty, the Rwandan side quickly regrouped to go level 1-1 with a hard-fought 28-26 second set. The hosts went on to dominate the third set 25-15 before putting the game to bed with another effortless 25-18 fourth set.

Rwanda retained the African championships title for a third consecutive time – after 2015 and 2017 – with a perfect 5:5 win ratio, having beaten Kenya and Egypt twice each in the preliminaries on Sunday and Monday.

In a post-match interview, visibly excited skipper Lillian Mukobwankabo said, “We are very happy to be African champions again, and to seal our ticket to the Paralympics.”

“This is a glorious moment for everyone on the team.”

Meanwhile, the men’s team begin their quest for a ticket to Tokyo 2020 on Thursday when they face Kenya in the opener of the men’s tournament, which will run through September 22 at Amahoro Stadium.

Rwanda has been placed in the same pool as Kenya and Morocco, while the other group comprises Egypt, South Africa, and Algeria.

The hosts, Rwanda, and Egypt are widely seen as the top challengers for Africa’s sole ticket to next year’s Paralympic Games in men’s sitting volleyball.

Source: The New Times.