The cyclist, Areruya Joseph receiving the national flag from the Ministry of Sports and Culture.
Minister for Sports and Culture, Julienne Uwacu has flagged off the national team to this year’s Commonwealth Games, which will be held in Gold Coast, Australia from April 4-15.
The function held Friday afternoon at the ministry’s headquarters, attracted officials of Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) and the national team delegation.
The Rwanda Commonwealth team which will be represented by 17 athletes is expected to start a week-long residential camp this week before they depart to Australia next week.
Athletics, Beach Volleyball and Paralympic powerlifting teams will head to Gold coast this month while cycling team will travel in the first week of April.
Minister Uwacu wished the athletes good luck and encouraged them to work collectively as team to make Rwanda proud. The team will be led by cyclist Joseph Areruya, who will carry the national flag.
“It’s not professional to find anyone with intentions of escaping on national duty while competing in such competitions,” she cautioned the athletes.
RNOSC president, Ambassador Valens Munyabagisha noted it will first time for Rwandan players will competing in an international competition during the commemoration week where country remembers victims of the 1994 genocide against Tutsi.
“We didn’t have a role to schedule the competition dates but we have asked the organizers to let our teams to have a moment to remember on April 7 and to wear a black ribbon as a sign of remembrance in each game,” said Amb. Munyabagisha.
The athletes posing with the Minister Uwacu Julienne (C) and other officials.
A total of 17 athletes across four different sporting disciplines will carry the country’s quest for a historic first Commonwealth Games medal. Rwanda will have representatives in cycling, athletics, beach volleyball and Para-Powerlifting.
The 21st edition of Commonwealth Games will attract over 6600 athletes representing 70 countries and territories in 18 sports and 270 medal events.
Rwanda made her debut in the quadrennial event eight years ago in New Delhi, India, and her second appearance in 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland. However, no Rwandan athlete was able to manage a podium finish at either edition.
Full Rwanda Team
Athletics: Nyirarukundo Salome, Nizeyimana Alexis, Sugira James, Nishimwe Beatha, Ishimwe Alice and Tuyishime Christophe Beach Volleyball: Nzayisenga Charlotte and Mutatsimpundu Denyse
Cycling: Areruya Joseph, Ndayisenga Valens, Ukiniwabo Jean Paul Rene, Uwizeye Jean Claude, Uwizeyimana Bonaventure, Munyaneza Didier, Ingabire Beatha, Manizabayo Magnifique
The President of Rwanda Commonwealth Games Association (Rwanda-CGA), Amb. Valens Munyabagisha (right) and Chef de Mission, Mr. Nzabanterura Eugene who is also the advisor at Rwanda-CGA (Left).
On Friday, Mrach 09, 2018, The Rwanda Commonwealth Games Association (Rwanda-CGA) held a press conference at Ministry of Sports Culture headquarters to explain more about how’s the preparation is going on for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games that will begin on April 04. seventeen athletes are ready to well represent RWANDA in cycling, beach volleyball, athletics and para power-lifting . The President of Rwanda-CGA, Amb. Valens Munyabagisha alongside the Chef de Mission, Mr. Nzabanterura Eugene confirmed that the Rwandan Team is competing in Commonwealth Games 2018 with the purpose of reaching the podium.
The CGA President Amb. Valens noted the event will be held during the commemoration week where country remembers victims of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi but they have agreed with organizers to join Rwandans in commemoration.
“We didn’t have a role to schedule the competition dates but we have asked the organizers to let our teams to have a moment to remember on April 7 and to wear a black ribbon as a sign of remembrance in each game,” said Amb. Munyabagisha.
The press conference attracted almost all local media houses and they have pledged to be supportive as always.
Rwanda Team (Cycling, Beach Volleyball, Athletics and Para Power Lifting) that will represent Rwanda in Commonwealth Games 2018.
RWANDA Commonwealth Games Association (RWANDA-CGA) has unveiled the delegation to represent the country at the forthcoming XXI Commonwealth Games scheduled for April 4-15 in Gold Coast, Queensland – Australia.
A total of 17 athletes from four different sporting disciplines will carry the country’s quest for a historic first Commonwealth Games medal. Rwanda will have representatives in cycling, athletics, beach volleyball and Para-Powerlifting.
The 21st edition of Commonwealth Games will attract over 6600 athletes representing 70 countries and territories in 18 sports and 270 medal events.
Rwanda made her debut in the quadrennial event eight years ago in New Delhi, India, and her second appearance in 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland.
However, no Rwandan athlete was able to manage a podium finish at either edition.
Cycling
The cycling team that will represent the country in Commonwealth Games next month.
Africa’s top-rated Joseph Areruya will lead Team Rwanda Cycling in Australia, looking to take his impressive cycling talent to global scene after conquering the continent in the past five months.
The 21-year-old rider claimed Tour du Rwanda 2017 last November and the 2018 La Tropicale Amissa Bongo in January.
After the magical performance in Gabon where he became the first Rwandan and only third African cyclist to win Africa’s most respected cycling event, Areruya added on the inaugural UCI Tour de l’Espoir in Yaoundé, Cameroon early February.
The Dimension Data for Qhubeka rider went on to win four medals, two gold, one silver and one bronze medal at the recently-concluded African Continental Road Championship held from February 13-18 in Kigali.
Making his debut at the international multidiscipline games, cycling sensation Areruya will be on a team of six.
Other big names on the team include; two-time Tour du Rwanda champion Valens Ndayisenga and Bonaventure Uwizeyimana, Didier Munyaneza, Jean Paul Rene Ukiniwabo and Jean Claude Uwizeyimana.
For the first time, Rwanda will also field female riders at the two-week long competitions, among them, reigning national champion Beatha Ingabire as well as Magnifique Manizabayo.
Apart from Ndayisenga and Uwizeyimana, the rest of the cyclists on the team will be making their maiden appearance in Commonwealth Games.
At the 2014 edition, Rwanda fielded six riders in men’s category in Glasgow. Former national team captain Janvier Hadi and Valens Ndayisenga competed in Individual Time Trial (ITT) and finished 19th and 23rd respectively.
They were also joined by Adrien Niyonshuti, Bonaventure Uwizeyimana, Gasore Hategeka and Jean Bosco Nsengimana but none of the six riders managed to finish the race that was won by Wales’ Thomas Geraith.
Athletics
The Athletics team that will represent the country in Commonwealth Games next month.
In athletics, Rwanda will be represented by six track and field athletes led by 20-year- old star Salome Nyirarukundo, who will compete in the women’s 10,000m.
Others include; Alexis Nizeyimana (full marathon), Christopher Tuyishime and James Sugira (men’s 5000m), Beatha Nishimwe (1500m) as well as Alice Ishimwe, who will race in the women’s 800m.
Nyirarukundo represented Rwanda at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics in Brazil where she finished 27th out of 37 competitors in women’s 10,000 metres clocking 32: 7:80.
Her personal best in 10,000 metres is 31:45:82, which she recorded at the 2016 Olympic Games qualifiers in Durban, South Africa.
Fresh from winning a bronze medal at this year’s Barcelona Half-marathon, Nyirarukundo is set to link up with the rest of the team this month after his training stint in Eldoret – Kenya.
Beach Volleyball
The Beach Volleyball team that will represent the country in Commonwealth Games next month.
The reigning African champions Charlotte Nzayisenga and Denise Mutatsimpundu will not only represent Rwanda but also have the entire Africa on their shoulders in the women’s beach volleyball category.
The pair booked their ticket to the finals of the XXI Commonwealth Games, in October last year, after beating Nigeria in the final of African Championships held in Sierra Leone.
Rwanda has been drawn in Group C alongside favourites New Zealand, Singapore and Vanuata. Group A comprises of hosts Australia, Scotland, Grenada and Cyprus while Group B is made of giants Canada, England, Trinidad and Tobago as well as Fiji.
Christophe Mudahinyuka’s team will have to finish in the group’s top two to secure a spot in knock-out stages.
Since February 12, Nzayisenga and Mutatsimpundu have been training at Amahoro national stadium and they were supposed to start residential camp in Rubavu on Saturday.
Para-Power lifting
Mr. Vedaste Niyonzimana will represent Rwanda in Para Power-Lifting.
After the 2014 debut in powerlifting where Theogene Hakizimana was the flag bearer, Rwanda has again been offered one wild card in Para-powerlifting and this time, it will be Vedaste Niyonzimana who will carry the flag.
The President of Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee, Amb. MUNYABAGISHA Valens opening officially the Sports Medicine Course.
Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) has organized the first ever course in Sport Medicine—the five-day course started on Friday and will run until March 6 at Amahoro national stadium.
The course, which has attracted 40 local sports physicians, is part of the partnership between the Rwanda National Olympic and Sport Committee and the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It is aimed at benefiting Rwanda in advanced treatment of injured players.
The course is being conducted by Professor Cyrille Serge, the Chairman of the Medical Committee Association of National Committees African Olympics, who says that the training will facilitate local sports physicians on the process of treating injured players until they are healed.
“Rwanda and Africa have many talented players but because of injuries we lose some prematurely due to lack of properly trained sports physicians to treat injuries better,” said Professor Serge.
He declared that there will be a follow-up course to the first one as, “we continue to train more sports physicians.”
Meanwhile, Bosco Mpatswenumugabo, the head of the Medical Committee at RNOSC, said the course was very important for Rwanda and, “after this training, we hope to reduce the number of long term injures because of local sports physician will have been equipped with the necessary skills.”
Twenty-five handball coaches from different clubs are set to benefit from Level C training course, sponsored by Olympic Solidarity in partnership with the National Handball Federation (FERWAHAND).
The two-week training course, which is being conducted by handball expert Yvon Laurans from France at Amahoro Stadium will see the coaches and instructors attain the International Handball Level C which will allow them to coach both clubs as well as youth at national level. They will also qualify to work as assistant coaches in the national handball league.
The training course is taking place at Amahoro National Stadium. (@RwandaOlympic)
The Handball federation president Theogene Utabarutse said “We need more qualified coaches if we are to develop handball in the country. There is no way we will be able to compete with other countries across the continent if we do not have trained coaches.”
Laurans the French trainer hailed the initiative saying the trainees will benefit from the course to improve on their handball training skills.
“I urge the coaches and instructors to implement the knowledge they receive after the training,” Laurans advised
Yvon Laurans, the Handball Expert from France. (Photo Credit: @RwandaOlympic)
Plans are also underway to recruit a national head coach with the support of the Ministry of Sports and Culture which takes charge of his remuneration.
A big number of Rayon Sports fans escorted their team to Bujumbura (Courtesy)
Forward Shaban ‘Tchabalala’ Hussein scored the lone goal as Rayon Sports claimed a hard fought 1-0 away victory against Lydia Ludic Académic of Burundi in the preliminary round return leg of the 2018 CAF Champions League, yesterday.
The narrow win for the Rwandan side at Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium in Bujumbura saw Rayon Sports proceed to the next round with an aggregate score of 2-1.
The Burundi international’s thunderbolt, from a tight angle in the 28th minute, followed good play between Shassir Nahimana and Djabel Manishimwe.
Rayon Sports defence, marshaled by Thierry Manzi, Faustin Usengimana, Ange Mutsinzi and Eric Rutanga, put up a solid performance to deny the Burundian league champions.
Rayon Sports players line-up before the 1-0 away victory against Lydia Ludic Académic of Burundi.
But the hosts put up sustained pressure on Rayon Sports’ backline, especially in the second-half, creating opportunity after another in vain.
But Rayon captain and goalkeeper Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye needed to be at his best to thwart Moussa Harerimana, Seif Ndizeye, Jules Ulimwengu and Djamal Bazunza.
Rayon Sports got its own chances through Nahimana, Djabel Manishimwe, Kevin Muhire and new signing Tchabalala.
Rayon Sports went into the return leg needing a win or a draw of more than one goal to seal qualification to the next round, while Lydia Ludic needed a goalless draw to progress.
In the first leg in Kigali nearly a fortnight ago, forward Jamali Bazunza gave the visitors the lead before Tchabalala equalised for Olivier Karekezi’s team.
In the next round, Rayon Sports will face the 2016 CAF champions Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa.
Burundi’s Lydia Ludic Académic put pressure on Rayon Sports but failed to get a goal.
RWANDA has for the first time been ranked the second best cycling nation on the continent by the International Cycling Union (UCI) behind powerhouse Eritrea, according to the latest ranking released by the world cycling governing body.
The development follows Team Rwanda’s impressive performance at the women’s health 13th edition of African Continental Road Championship staged in Kigali.
Team Rwanda (men and women), under the tutelage of Sterling Magnell and Nathan Byukusenge, scooped 10 medals; 3 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze medals to finish third on the medal table behind Eritrea (20 medals) and Ethiopia (13 medals).
This was the best performance ever for Rwanda in African championships which greatly contributed to their rise in UCI Africa rankings.
In the latest ranking, Team Rwanda has leapfrogged South Africa, with 1026 points, into the second spot with a total of 1059 points with giants Eritrea maintaining the top spot with 1702 points.
Algeria are in fourth with 760 points while Morocco are sixth with 690.5 points with Ethiopia coming in the seventh spot with 321 points behind Tunisia which occupy the sixth place with 448 points.
Meanwhile, in the individual rankings, Rwanda’s cycling sensation Joseph Areruya who rides for South Africa’s Dimension Data for Qhubeka continental team, has retained the top spot with a total of 437.75 points.
The 21-year-old is followed by Eritrea’s Amanuel Werkilul Ghebreigzabhier, who won the continental championships with 267.5 points improving from 137th position previously, while Algerian Azzedine Lagab is third with 263 points.
Four-time Tour du Rwanda stage winner Metkel Eyob currently ranks third after winning a silver medal in last week’s continental championships road race with 261.5 points while his compatriot Mekseb Debesay completes the top five with 242.5 points.
APR have progressed to the first round of CAF Confederation Cup following a 2-1 win over Anse Reunion of Seychelles in return leg of preliminary round. Over the two legs APR scored six goals, conceding one.
The military side, who went into the return leg with a 4-0 lead in the bag, came from behind to score win courtesy of goals from Herve Rugwiro and Issa Bigirimana.
APR will still have a mountain to climb against Djoliba of Mali who qualified for the next stage without kicking a ball after Liberia’s Elwa United pulled out of the tournament at the last minute due to financial problems.
The APR will first visit Djoliba in the first leg early next month.
Djoliba reached the group stage in the 2012 CAF Confederation Cup while APR have never reached the group stage since they made their debut in Africa’s biggest club competition in 1997.
Sports Officials from different institutions during the first session of the seminar.
The Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee is hosting an advanced sports management courses divided into seven sessions from February 15, 2018 to August 19, 2018.
The seminar will be attended by about 18 sports officials from the Ministry of Sports and Culture, Rwanda National Olympic, National Federations and Associations who contribute to the day-to-day administration of their organizations.
The President of Rwanda Taekwondo Federation, BAGABO Placide (left) and The Executive Director of Rwanda NationalOlympic and Sports Committee, MUKUNDIYUKURI Jean de Dieu (right) during the session 01.
While the main aim of this seminar is to improve capacity in sports management, the session o1 of February 15-16, 2018 was an opportunity to everyone to share with the other participants how they manage to put the decisions into reality, their vision and ambitions and also how they cooperate with their compatriots.
The next six phases will be staged on the following dates:
Second phase: April 26-27, 2018
Third phase: May 24-25, 2018
Fourth phase: June 21-22, 2018
Fifth: July 12-13, 2018
Sixth phase: August 16-19, 2018.
The training will also equip trainees with skills on the precautions and development activities of the federation in the next four years.
Tharcisse Harerimana, one of the trainers and expert in Olympic Solidarity programs, said the training will facilitate help federations to ensure effective organization and better performance.
HARERIMANA Tharcisse, Instructor and Expert in Olympic Solidarity Programs.
“We want to build good systems targeting not only better performance, but also ensure the federations are built around better administration and smart financial systems that can attract sponsors for our sports,” said Harerimana.
Joseph Areruya (C), Didier Munyaneza (R) and Henock Mulueberhan display their medals after winning during the African Road Race Championship in Kigali yesterday. Samuel Ngenadahimana.
RWANDA’s star cyclist Joseph Areruya was crowned Africa’s best Under-23 rider at the just concluded 13th African Continental Road Championship in Kigali on Sunday afternoon.
African Road Race Chimpionship winner Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier celebrates the crucial victory with a solo finish during the race in Kigali (Sam Ngendahimana)
However, the day belonged to Eritrean international and Dimension Data for Qhubeka’s UCI World Tour team’s Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier who put up a stunning solo performance to win the highly coveted elite men’s road race crown.
Team Rwanda winners Joseph Areruya and Didier Munyaneza in group photo with sponsor of the race
“I am very excited for this victory, feels very great to win in Kigali. It was a very tough race, but, thanks to my teammates, I had a strong support system backing me up. Congratulations to Areruya for the U23 category victory,” Ghebreigzabhier told Times Sport after the historic victory.
The 23-year-old finished in 1 minute and 53 seconds ahead of compatriot Eyob Metkel who finished second. Eyob, the 2016 and 2017 Tour du Rwanda first runner-up, overcame stiff challenge from Algerian Lagab Azzedine in a strong two-man sprint finish.
Road race riders get ready to start the race at Amahoro National Stadium
The new African champion Ghebreigzabhier made a solo escape from the leading peloton in the 10th lap, of 13 laps, and never looked back. He finished the lap with one minute and 3 seconds in a one-man break away before stretching the lead gap to 2 minutes and 40 seconds after the 12th lap.
Africa’s top rated Areruya of Rwanda who finished sixth overall, claimed gold in U23 category to make it four medals on his name at the just concluded Africa’s biggest cycling event. Another Rwandan youngster, Didier Munyaneza finished third in the U23 category to walk away with a bronze medal.
Minister Julienne Uwacu and FERWACY boss Aimable Bayingana and African cycling Confederation head Azzam pose with winner in U23 category
“The race kept getting tougher with time as our teammates dropped out, which left Eritrea with more riders than Rwanda. Thankfully, we won medals in the U23 category,” 19-year-old Munyaneza, who was making his first appearance in African championships, told this paper after the bronze victory.
The 156km race started with a total of 120 riders representing 20 countries but only 30 riders managed to complete the race, which was a total 13 laps around Amahoro stadium – Kimironko – Kibagabaga – Nyarutarama – Gishushu and back to Amahoro stadium. Among those who abandoned the race, were three Rwandans namely; veteran Adrien Niyonkuru, Valens Ndayisenga and Jean Bosco Ndayisenga.
FERWACY President Aimable Bayingana speaks to the journalists during the interview
Youngster Henock Mulueberhan, another Eritrean, won silver in the U23 category behind Areruya. Mulueberhan finished in the seventh place overall, 2 minutes and 6 seconds behind champion Ghebreigzabhier who was taking part in African championships for a fifth consecutive time.
African cycling powerhouse Eritrea finished top of the medal table with a total 20 medals; 10 gold, 5 silver and 5 bronze pieces. Ethiopia come second with 13 medals (3 gold, 7 silver and 3 bronze) while the hosts completed top three with 10 medals including 3 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze medals respectively.
Eritrea National Team coaches join their medal winners to celebrate the victory of African Championship road race
Other countries on the medal winners table are Algeria who won two bronze medals, Burundi that won one silver medal and Namibia that scooped one bronze medal.
Bayingana was recognized by African Cycling Confederation for his efforts to promote cycling in Rwanda and in Africa
Out of six medals that were up for grabs on Sunday, Eritrea claimed three, the hosts Rwanda took two while Algeria clinched one respectively.
Two riders from Maurtius Mayer Alexandre and Rogier Ragan Gregory finished the road race, captured here in action during the race
Tour du Rwanda 2017 winner , La Tropicale 2018 winner and Tour de l’Espoir winner Joseph Areruya was eyeing to win his second medal during 2018 African Championship
Tour du Rwanda 2017 winner , La Tropicale 2018 winner and Tour de l’Espoir winner Joseph Areruya during the sprint
The Dimension Data rider’s victory made Eritrea the first country to win 10 gold medals in the 2018 African Championship in Kigali
The best African rider Joseph Areruya leads the peloton during the third lap of the race.
The 168km elite men’s road race, a total of 14 laps, was contested by 120 riders from 20 African countries.
Team Rwanda rider Patrick Byukusenge finished the race in the 27th position
Team Rwanda rider Joseph Areruya during the sprint as he crosses the finish line to win U23 Road race champion 2018
Team Rwanda lead the peloton during the race, three of them abandoned the race, Valens Ndayisenga, Adeien Niyonshuti and Jean Bosco Nsengimana
Tanzania National team rider Mwangu Denis Julius captured in action during the race, he abandonned the race in the 5th lap
Samuel Mugisha finishes in the 26th position , he has been the key player for Areruya to win gold medal in U23
Road race started around Amahoro stadium – Kimironko – Kibagabaga – Nyarutarama – Gishushu and Amahoro stadium
Riders in action during the race
Minister Uwacu officially close the African Road Race Championship
Lager Azzedine from Algeria captured here leadaing the peloton in the 1st first lap of the race as he they climb the most challenging corner of the race at Remera
Jean Bosco Nsengimana in duo break away with Henok who wins Silver medal in U23 category
Gold medal winner in elite men category Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier in a solo break away as he rides his 11 lap during the race
Former Dimension Data rider Adrien Niyonshuti captured here in action during the race
Ellis Anthony Ryan from Zambia at the starting line before the race, the youngster abandonned the race after 8 laps
Didier Munyaneza among senior riders’ break away of five people, the Rwandan managed to win Bronze medal
Bronze winner Didier Munyaneza
Among 114 riders from 20 African countries who started the race, only 30 riders crossed the finish line
Ait El Abdia Annas from Morocco did two laps leading peloton in a solo break away, he finishes in 11 position
Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier did a solo attack on 10th lap that helped him to cross the finish line as winner of 2018 African Championship
2018 African Road Race Championship started on 14 Feb in Kigali (Sam Ngendahimana)
Team Rwanda supporter applaud for Areruya as he climbs Remera corner during the race
