38 participants including 33 women attended the “Smart Women – Smart Sport”, organized by the RNOSC

The Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC), in collaboration with the RNOSC Women in Sport Commission, hosted a workshop titled “Smart Women – Smart Sport” under the Auspices of the Olympic Solidarity. The 2-day event under the theme “Women and Sport”, held at Centre d’Acceuil Bonne Espérance in Kigali city from 19-20 May 2022.

The event aimed at empowering and providing capacity building to its members by addressing various challenges the Rwanda Sport Movement is facing while promoting the Olympic values and gender equality in particular and this was emphasized by the Second Vice President at the RNOSC Mrs. Salama Umutoni in her opening remarks.

“This workshop aims at discussing the challenges women face in sports sector. There are also experts who will share their expertise and I encourage women to talk about the issues they face and work together to find solutions and a better way forward,” she said.

The Second Vice President at the RNOSC Mrs. Salama Umutoni giving her opening remarks.

A total of 38 participants including 33 women from National Sports Federations, Rwanda Olympians Association and Sports Centers of Excellence in Schools (ISONGA Programme) took part.

During these two days, the participants benefited from the following presentations:

  • “Prevention of Harassment and Abuse in Sports (sexual, verbal & emotional abuse) and Mental Health.” by First Vice President at Rwanda Cycling Federation Mrs. Mukazibera Marie Agnes
  • “Talent Detection” by the Technical Director at Rwanda Volleyball Federation Mrs. Gertrude Kubwimana
  • “Sports Nutrition” by Nutritionist/MD “La Pervenche Nutrition Cabinet” Mrs. Mukayumba Anastasie
  • “Menstruation and Athlete’s Performance” by Sports Expert Mrs. E’GAIRMA Hermine
  • “Sports Medicine” by RNOSC Medical and Anti-Doping Commission Dr. Nuhu Assuman and the Vice President of the RNOSC Sport For All Commission Mrs. Murangwa Usenga Sandrine
  • “Sports and Mental Health” by the Director General of Huye Isange Rehabilitation Center Dr. Patrick RWAGATARE
  • “Women in Coaching” by Head Coach REG Women BBC Mukaneza Espérance
  • “Refereeing” by FIFA Referee Murangwa Usenga Sandrine
  • “Sports Journalism” by Sports Journalist and President of the RNOSC Women in Sport Commission Ariane Uwamahoro

Igihozo Yvette who participated in the wokrshop shared her key takeaway: “We learned how to avoid violence against a sportswoman, how to nourish our bodies as sportswomen, we were given insightful information about women’s periods and we also had  an opportunity to hear testimonies of women in sports industry.”

Igihozo Yvette, one of participants of the “Smart Women – Smart Sport” workshop.

The Technical Director at Rwanda Volleyball Federation Mrs. Gertrude Kubwimana who was among the speakers: “We received positive feedback from invitated participants to this event, including athletes, coaches, referees or others involved in sports management. They were happy and eager for more knowledge.”

In her closing remarks, the IOC Member Mrs. Félicité RWEMARIKA urged her fellow women to remain focused and take a leaf from a few who have excelled if they are to succeed in various sports disciplines.

“Firstly, we encourage women to believe in themselves, secondly, to improve their personal development skills and their contribution to the development of sport. You do not have to think that opportunities will come to you just because you are a woman but because you deserve it,” Rwemarika said.

“We were able to hear from them, their challenges and what they want to be done. We are going to present them to competent authorities to find solutions for them toward creating a better environment for women in sports,” she added.

IOC Member Mrs. Félicité RWEMARIKA addressing the participants at the closing ceremony.

The workshop was concluded with certificate award ceremony and group photos.

Group photo after the certificate award ceremony.

More photos of the workshop, click here.

RNOSC & Rwanda CGA Quarterly Newsletter of the first quarter of 2022

The Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC)/Rwanda Commonwealth Games Association (Rwanda CGA) has released the Quarterly Newsletter of the January to March 2022.

“Over the last three months, we managed to organize a technical course for coaches – level 1 with 29 participants including 8 women and 3 Para Table Tennis coaches, celebrating the Commonwealth Day 2022 by focusing on promoting inclusion in sport, supporting the Martial Arts Sports Festival 1st Edition and hosting the Ordinary General Assembly 2022.” – RNOSC & RCGA President Mr. Theo UWAYO

Visit this link to access the full newsletter.

This platform is a source of information for you covering every activity of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee/Rwanda Commonwealth Games Association.

Happy reading!

RNOSC Presidential handover – IOC Member Mrs. Félicité RWEMARIKA & Newly elected RNOSC President Mr. Theo UWAYO.

Yesterday, on the 11th May 2021, the outgoing RNOSC Executive Committee has officially handed over to the newly elected members in the ceremony which took place at the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) headquarters.

The IOC Member Mrs. Félicité RWEMARIKA and RNOSC President Mr. Theo UWAYO.

The IOC Member Mrs. Félicité RWEMARIKA who was the RNOSC Acting President wished good luck to the new Executive Committee and congratulated them again: “I wish incoming team great success and we will be there for you, congratulations again!”

The newly elected President Mr. Theo UWAYO in his speech: “You have contributed a lot to the development of Rwanda Sport Movement during your tenure in the office and this is a good way of starting to do what we have been elected for.”

The new RNOSC Executive Committee was elected at the RNOSC Elective General Assembly 2021 which took place on the 08th May 2021.

More photos click herehttps://flic.kr/s/aHsmVBMwSt

Theo Uwayo elected President of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee for the next four years.

Theo Uwayo was unanimously elected as the new President of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) for the next four years. Uwayo who is also the President of the Rwanda Karate Federation, was the sole candidate on this position, garnered 56/56 votes during the RNOSC Elective General Assembly which took place on the 08th of May 2021.

Theo Uwayo taking oath of office.

The date of elections was approved in an Extraordinary General Assembly held on April 17th, 2021.

In his acceptance speech, the new President of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee commended the outgoing Executive Committee for the achievements registered over the last four years. Theo Uwayo promised to promote efficiency, good governance and to serve the Olympic movement to the very best of his ability during his tenure.  

“We are grateful for the faith that you have entrusted with us. We pledge to work tirelessly to deliver during our term in office. We will start from where the outgoing committee had reached. Along with my experience, I trust my team’s commitment and competence and we look forward to achieving a lot together in the next four years.” – RNOSC President Theo Uwayo

Newly elected RNOSC President Mr. Theo Uwayo.

The newly elected RNOSC President has been serving as the President of the Rwanda Karate Federation for the last 12 years. Uwayo is also a member of the Executive Board of UFAK (Union of African Karate Federation) and the President of UFAK Zone V.

In her speech, the IOC Member Mrs. Félicité RWEMARIKA congratulated the incoming Executive Committee upon their election, and lauded the outgoing Executive Committee for the job well done during the last four years. She urged the new Executive Committee to serve while respecting the Olympic Charter. She also urged the RNOSC members to keep living the Olympic values, which are excellence, friendship and respect.

Other Executive Committee members elected

Umulinga Alice from the Rwanda Volleyball Federation has been elected as the 1st Vice President of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee, replacing IOC Member Mrs. RWEMARIKA Félicité. Umulinga garnered 54/57 votes. She is a former player of the National Women’s Volleyball team and Kigali Volleyball Club (KVC).

Umutoni Salama from the Rwanda Basketball Federation has been elected as the 2nd Vice President of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee. She garnered 56/57 votes. Umutoni is the former Captain of the National Women’s Basketball Team and Second Assistant Coach for both National Women’s Basketball Team and Ubumwe Basketball Club.

Kajangwe Joseph from the Rwanda Football Federation, has been elected as the Secretary General of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee, replacing Sharangabo Alexis, OLY. He occupied several positions at the local football governing body since 2012. Kajangwe who heads the Appeals Commission at FERWAFA, got 57/57 votes.

Gakwaya Christian, the President of the Rwanda Automobile Club, has been elected as the Treasurer General of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee. Gakwaya who was elected by 55/55 votes, also represents Africa in FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) Rally Commission.

Girimbabazi Rugabira Pamela has been elected as the Advisor of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee, with 54/55 votes. She is currently the President of the Rwanda Swimming Federation and Secretary General of the Rwanda Olympians Association. Girimbabazi is a three-time Olympian in swimming (2000, 2004,2008).

Renowned Sports Journalist Jean Butoyi who is also the President of AJSPOR (Association Prednisone du Sports au Rwanda), has been elected as the Advisor of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee after garnering 55/55 votes. He served as the Head of the Media Commission in the outgoing Executive Committee of RNOSC.

The new RNOSC Executive Committee for 2021-2024 from left: Jean Butoyi (Advisor), Joseph Kajangwe (Secretary General), Salama Umutoni (2nd Vice President), Félicité RWEMARIKA (IOC Member), Theo Uwayo (President), Alice Umulinga (1st Vice President), Christian Gakwaya (Treasurer General) and Girimbabazi Rugabira Pamela (Advisor).

The RNOSC Internal Audit and Conflicts Resolution Committees have also the newly elected members as follows:  

Newly elected members of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee Internal Audit Committee:

– Iribagiza Alice from Rwanda Triathlon Federation (53/55 votes)

– Furaha Pascal from Rwanda Tennis Federation (53/55 votes)

– Nzeyimana Celestin from National Paralympic Rwanda (55/55 votes)

Newly elected members of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee Conflicts Resolution Committee:

– Bagabo Placide from Rwanda Taekwondo Federation (55/55 votes)

– Rwabuhihi Innocent from ARPST/Sport au Travail (55/55 votes)

– Kagarama Clementine from FRSS/Sport Scolaire (54/55 votes)

To view more photos of the RNOSC Elective General Assembly 2021 click here.

About 90 athletes gathered for a 3-day RNOSC Athletes’ Commission Forum.

The Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee through the Athletes Commission has hosted its first ever athletes forum which took place at Olympic Hotel from the 19th to the 21st of November 2020.

About 90 participants from 25 National Sports Federations, 4 Olympic scholarship holders, 4 athletes benefiting team support grant program, 6 athletes benefiting ANOCA special grant, 16 Olympians and 25 representatives of the National Sports Federations, had an opportunity to learn about the Olympic Values Education, entrepreneurship skills, Anti-doping and fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

The forum was proposed following the approval of the RNOSC Athletes Commission by the RNOSC General Assembly held on the 11th of November 2020 and its board is composed of 5 members namely: NTAGENGWA Olivier (President) from Rwanda Volleyball Federation, MUKOBWANKAWE Liliane (Vice President) from National Paralympic Committee, UWAYO Clarisse (Member) from Taekwondo Federation, ARERUYA Joseph (Member) from Rwanda Cycling Federation, SHYAKA Olivier (Member) from Rwanda Basketball Federation.

“First of all, we are so happy for this platform (Athletes Commission) and we have learned about different important things during these 3 days including the Olympic values and Athlete365 Career+ to name few, and we are hoping more in the future as everyone is committed to the development of our athletes.” – The RNOSC Athletes Commission President Mr. Olivier Ntagengwa.

The RNOSC Athletes Commission President Mr. Olivier Ntagengwa.

In his closing remarks, the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee President Amb. Valens Munyabagisha urged the athletes to go forward and be proactive:

“The athletes must be at the heart of the sports movement but they also have to play their part in preparation and implementation of their projects, they have to help us to know what is good for them and for their career and this is the main goal of this commission.”

The RNOSC President Amb. Valens Munyabagisha giving his closing remarks.
A group of participants posing after receiving their certificates.

At the opening ceremony of this forum, the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee took the advantage to represent the awards to all Olympians and athletes who have been awarded in recognition of their outstanding efforts towards the Rwanda Sports Movement development. This RNOSC Award Ceremony took place on sidelines of the RNOSC General Assembly 2020.

Rwandan Olympians posing for a group photo with the RNOSC President Amb. Valens Munyabagisha after receiving their awards.

At the same time the qualified athletes for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games namely Félicien Muhitira and John Hakizimana, and the duos of Olivier Ntagengwa/Akumuntu Kavalo Patrick and Gatsinzi Vénuste/Fils Habintwali, also received their special support grant for the preparations and qualifying tournaments ahead of Tokyo 2020.

Félicien Muhitira
John Hakizimana
The duos of Olivier Ntagengwa/Akumuntu Kavalo Patrick and Gatsinzi Vénuste/Fils Habintwali.