/ By RUGIGANA Jean Claude / News • Uncategorized/ 0 Comments

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.”

/ By RUGIGANA Jean Claude / News • Uncategorized/ 0 Comments

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.
/ By RUGIGANA Jean Claude / ATHLETICS • News/ 0 Comments

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].

/ By RUGIGANA Jean Claude / News • Uncategorized/ 0 Comments

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

/ By RUGIGANA Jean Claude / Commonwealth Games • News • Rwanda CGA • Rwanda CGA/ 0 Comments

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.

/ By RUGIGANA Jean Claude / News/ 0 Comments

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.

 

/ By RUGIGANA Jean Claude / News/ 0 Comments

Coaches, Sports leaders conclude a three-day training workshop on Sports Development

Twenty-six participants including coaches and sports leaders from different national sports federations have concluded a three-day training workshop on Sports Development at Olympic Hotel on Tuesday.

Group photo after the opening ceremony.

The workshop was organized by Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee in partnership with University of Tsukuba, Japan from 18-20 August 2019.

The Guest of Honor, the Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda H.E Miyashita Takayuki addressing to participants.

The workshop conducted by professors from Tsukuba University including Prof. Rakwal Randeep, Dr. Hirokazu Matsuo, Dr. Kazuhiro Kajita and Dr. Koichi Watanabe with aim of link TIAS Alumni to sports development in Rwanda and sharing Japan sports expertise by strengthening the network between the two countries, develop the collaboration through join research projects, internships, events while establishing pathways toward welcoming the future students in the TIAS-TAIIKU School (Masters and thereafter in the Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Tsukuba.

Prof. Rakwal Randeep.

The other topics included athlete management for administrator and coaches of federations and sports clubs/schools, college physical education, research methods in sports science, natural remedies, nutrition and sports, talent detection and development, psychological theories, sports science for youth athletes, mental skill, Technology to support coaching on tactics, models of Tactical approach, as well as Olympic studies and development of research project culture in Rwandan Sports Organizations and Universities.

On behalf of the participants, Jean Marie Nsengiyumva a coach from the National Paralympics Committee who attended the workshop thanked the Japanese experts for sharing the ideas.

He added, “It was an opportunity to learn a lot about sports in Japan while sharing as well as adding value to our experience, it is one way to strengthening long term relations between the two countries,”

The RNOSC Secretary General, Mr. Alexis Sharangabo thanked Japan experts, and urged fellow participants to implement what they learned in their respective disciplines.

Up to now, Rwandan TIAS (Tsukuba International Academy for Sports Studies) Alumni Association is made up of three Rwandan graduates namely Mr. Rurangayire Guy Didier, Mr. Celestin Nzeyimana and Mr. Shema-Maboko Didier.

/ By RUGIGANA Jean Claude / News/ 0 Comments

Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee celebrates 71st Olympic Day in Nyanza.

The Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) on Sunday, June 23, 2019, joined the rest of the world to celebrate the 71st anniversary of Olympic Day with an event hosted by Rwanda culture hub city, Nyanza district.

As part of Olympic Day ceremonies, the children played different sports.

Around 600 participants including the local residents and students from different schools based in Nyanza participated in the Olympic Run and gathered at the stadium for different exercises including stretching besides demonstrating in Karate and athletics discipline skills.

Students and citizens of Nyanza district participating in Olympic run.

In preparation of this significant day, RNOSC organized an Olympic Week which kicked off from June 19 -22nd of June, 2019.

Speaking during the occasion, the guest of honor, the RNOSC Secretary-General Alexis SHARANGABO said the celebration is aimed at mass sensitizing and mobilizing to engage in sports regardless of age, gender or ability plus educating children about Excellence, Respect and Friendship which are the core values of Olympism.

“The sports performed here, were selected depending on the schools but also with assistance from qualified sports technicians of Nyanza” he explained.

Karate which is expected to be part of Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and Athletics are among the sports that have been performed.

He added that the children need to be motivated that is why we gave them equipment like balls and trophies that is incentive so that they can understand the facial skin problems and make choice of sport to join while at the same time showing them that there is a required level that ought to be reached with persistence for one to compete.

“Sports is good for health, it helps the body to resist against certain diseases, sports also helps one to have moral and to be energetic, for the children it is the right time to start sports at an early age,” the former Olympian added.

This year’s Olympic Day marked also the 125th anniversary of the International Olympic Committee’s establishment by Pierre de Coubertin.

Ruzidana a senior six student whose ambition is to become a basketball player, says sports helps one to relax your brain in general in addition to study well.

The Olympian Alphonsine Agahozo who took part in the celebration as a role model mentioned that the Olympics helped her to achieve opportunities she could not achieve in life.

She urged children or anybody else that sport is an activity for all to do at the time when they still can irrespective if they’re Olympians or not

Futbalnet results:

Final

Kavumu Adventist primary school 2-0 Gacu primary school

Semi-Final

Gacu primary school 2-1 Busasamana

Kavumu Adventist primary school 1- 0 Rwesero primary school

 Volleyball Men Teams:

Final

Christ-Roi 2-0 E S Nyanza (25- 14; 25 – 22)

 Semi-Final

E S Nyanza 2 – 0 St Peter Igihozo (25 – 16; 25 – 18)

Christ-Roi 2-1 GS mater Dei (22 -25; 25 – 18; 15- 12)

Basketball Women Teams:

Final

Christ-Roi 54-26 E S Nyanza

Semi-Final

E S Nyanza 44 – 36 St Peter Igihozo

Christ-Roi 47- 36 GS Mater Dei

Basketball Men Teams:

Final

GS Mater Dei 77 – 56St Peter Igihozo

Semi-Final

St Peter Igihozo 61 – 45 E S Nyanza

Gs Mater Dei 75 – 55 Espanya

/ By RUGIGANA Jean Claude / Commonwealth • Dernières nouvelles/ 0 Comments

L’Association des Jeux du Commonwealth du Rwanda célèbre le Jour du Commonwealth 2019.

Le lundi 11 mars 2019, l’Association des Jeux du Commonwealth du Rwanda a célébré le Jour du Commonwealth 2019 au camp de Kigali.

Le Jour du Commonwealth est célébré chaque année le 2 mars, mais au Rwanda, il a été commémoré le 11 mars 2019 pour commémorer le 70e anniversaire du Commonwealth, sous le thème «Un Commonwealth connecté». Le Commonwealth est une association volontaire de 53 États souverains indépendants et égaux.

Il abrite 2,2 milliards de citoyens, dont plus de 60% ont moins de 30 ans. Environ 3000 étudiants de G.S Camp Kigali ont participé à un large éventail d’activités, notamment des débats, des essais et des compétitions de tennis de table. Les visiteurs du commissaire britannique du Royaume-Uni au Rwanda, Jo Lamos, sont les étudiants que 60% des jeunes du Commonwealth ont moins de 30 ans.

Felicite Rwemarika, vice-présidente de l’Association des Jeux du Commonwealth, a déclaré: «Cet événement est un partenariat avec la famille du Commonwealth et son objectif est de travailler ensemble. Il est important que les jeunes nouent des relations et créent une amitié mutuelle avec les autres.

La Fédération de tennis de table (RTTF) avait l’habitude de présenter le jeu à l’école. Il s’agit d’un tout nouveau jeu comprenant une toute nouvelle table, un ballon et des battes. Le président de la RTTF, Jean Bosco Birungi, a déclaré: “C’est la première fois pour le Rwanda-CGA, c’est l’occasion d’élargir son rôle avec l’école G.S Camp Kigali afin de promouvoir le tennis de table”, a-t-il déclaré.

Jean Dieudonné Niyonsenga, directeur de l’école au Royaume-Uni, de la Commonwealth Games Association et de la Fédération de tennis de table, pour avoir organisé la célébration à l’école.

L’école est composée d’une école maternelle, primaire et secondaire avec plus de 3 380 élèves sur 108 membres du personnel. L’assemblée générale de la CGF aux États-Unis et le prochain gouvernement du Commonwealth (CHOGM) se tiendront en 2020 et plus de 7 000 délégués devraient assister à ce sommet.

Lisez le message du Jour du Commonwealth par Sa Majesté la reine du Commonwealth: cliquez ici.