The Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) and the Japanese City of Hachimantai have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The ceremony took place on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, at the Ministry of Sports and Culture conference room (Amahoro Stadium) at 11 am.
Both the City and the RNOSC agreed to work cooperatively on the Rwandan Olympic athletes’ training camp in Hachimantai City and to implement mutually, beneficial projects so that the Rwandan athletes can perform in the best possible way during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
RNOSC President, Amb. Valens MUNYABAGISHA said the program started about 5 months ago and he also visited Hachamantai City in March 2018.
During the visit, the Amb. Valens had a fruitful exchange with the Mayor of the City and took a look on the good sports facilities and accommodation that will be graciously reserved for the Rwandan athletes during their stay in Hachimantai City.
RNOSC President explained that the MoU has entered into force upon its signature and will remain in force until the end of 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Upon mutual agreement by both parties, and this MoU could be extended.
“We have agreed that Hachimantai City will take care of the expenses including accommodation, food, as well as provide training facilities for the Rwanda Olympic Team before and during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, While RNOSC will take care of travel expenses from Rwanda to Japan and the health insurances for the athletes,” He said
He also added that the good relations between both countries have been in existence in other sports disciplines where the Japanese Embassy depression Karate Federation and hoped it will extend to other federations.
Present during the ceremony, the Mayor of the Hachimantai City of Japan, Mr. Masahiko Tamura who traveled to Rwanda explained that he was happy and honored to be in Rwanda for the second time.
“We have good relations with Rwanda in a floriculture project; we also thought it was a good opportunity to have Rwandan team in Hachimantai City during the preliminaries of the Olympics Games. Signing this MoU is a pleasure and honor,” Mayor Mashiko said
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports and Culture, Mr. John NTIGENGWA and the Ambassador of Japan in Rwanda both attended the ceremony as witnesses.
The Permanent Secretary said that signing the MoU was an added value to the existing relations and partnership between Rwanda and Japan.
“We hope both parties will benefit, and the Ministry will support the implementation of the MoU,” he said.
His Excellency Takayuki Miyashita, Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda who also witnessed the signing of the MoU noted that his mission was to oversee that government to government cooperation continues to develop far.
“People to People relations is also good when it is strengthened, both parties will meet to exchange strengthen cooperation to promote more between Rwanda and Japan. I will be in the Hachimantai City to fully support Team Rwanda and I wish them to win many Olympic medals,” H.E. Takayuki explained.
The Japanese delegation also used the occasion to visit different parts and offices of Amahoro National Stadium while being accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports and Culture and the President of Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee.
More photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/158785774@N02/albums/72157668998021748