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!

Twenty-eight sports included in youth-focused LA28 Initial Sports Programme

The Initial Sports Programme of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 will be composed of 28 sports, including skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing, with a strong focus on youth. It was approved today by the 139th Session of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Beijing.

The 28 sports included in the Initial Sports Programme are governed by the following International Federations (IFs):

  • World Athletics
  • World Rowing (FISA)
  • Badminton World Federation (BWF)
  • International Basketball Federation (FIBA)
  • International Canoe Federation (ICF)
  • Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)
  • International Equestrian Federation (FEI)
  • International Fencing Federation (FIE)
  • Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
  • International Golf Federation (IGF)
  • International Gymnastics Federation (FIG)
  • International Handball Federation (IHF)
  • International Hockey Federation (FIH)
  • International Judo Federation (IJF)
  • United World Wrestling (UWW)
  • International Swimming Federation (FINA)
  • World Rugby
  • World Taekwondo (WT)
  • International Tennis Federation (ITF)
  • International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)
  • International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF)
  • World Archery Federation (WA)
  • World Triathlon (TRI)
  • World Sailing (WS)
  • International Volleyball Federation (FIVB)
  • International Surfing Association (ISA)
  • World Skate (WSK)
  • International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC)

Skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing, all youth-focused sports, made their Olympic debut successfully at Tokyo 2020 and all of them have deep roots in California.

The IOC Session also acknowledged additional proposals from the IOC Executive Board (EB), recommended by the Olympic Programme Commission (OPC), which considered sport-specific issues, as well as the impact on the overall cost and complexity of the Games:

  • Pathways for boxing, weightlifting and modern pentathlon to be potentially included in the LA28 Initial Sports Programme at the IOC Session in 2023
  • The possibility for LA28 to propose additional sports in 2023
  • A process for finalising the disciplines in each sport to provide early certainty to athletes, National Olympic Committees (NOCs), IFs and the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (OCOG).

The IOC and the LA28 Organising Committee renewed their joint commitment to prioritising a reduction in the cost and complexity of hosting the Games, including a review of each sport’s disciplines, which will be finalised prior to the IOC Session in 2023, in consultation with LA28 and the IFs.

Football

With regard to football, the IOC will continue to monitor the evolution of the international match calendar.

Boxing, weightlifting and modern pentathlon

Boxing, weightlifting and modern pentathlon may potentially be included in the LA28 Initial Sports Programme by the IOC Session in 2023 if by then the respective IFs have demonstrated to the IOC’s satisfaction that they have satisfactorily addressed the areas specified by the EB on 9 December 2021.

This timeline will provide the IBA , the IWF and the UIPM with the additional time needed to effectively implement the critical reforms that have been announced by the respective IFs, and allow further consideration by the IOC EB.

The new discipline review timeline to offer various advantages

A new intermediate step, focused on determining the disciplines for each sport, will be added in 2023, as recommended by the OPC and approved by the IOC EB.

This new timeline will offer various advantages, such as early certainty to athletes, NOCs, IFs and the OCOG. Additionally, the discipline review for existing Olympic disciplines, plus any potential new discipline to be proposed by the Olympic IFs, will take place at the same time as the evaluation of potential new sports proposed by the OCOG, allowing for venue synergies and optimisations.

#IOC’s article 

Table Tennis: 28 participants awarded level 1 coaching certificates

The Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) in partnership with the Rwanda Table Tennis Federation, on January 17 to 26, successfully organized a technical course for coaches – level 1 and 29 participants including 8 women and 3 Para Table Tennis coaches.

Participants learning through practice.

After a 10-day workshop at Centre Christus – Remera, 28 out of 29 participants were awarded completion certificates. This course consisted of theoretical and practical knowledge and was conducted by Mr. Cédric ROULEAU who is an International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Expert. The participants also had an opportunity to internally compete to deeply understand what they have learned through actions.

Beside the knowledge, with support of the Mauritius Table Tennis Federation, Ping Sans Frontières and Go Sport Company, Mr. Cédric ROULEAU donated Table Tennis balls, nets, paddles and books to the Rwanda Table Tennis Federation.

Table Tennis equipment donated to Table Tennis Federation.

On January 18, the Secretary General of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee Mr. Joseph Kajangwe together with the President of Rwanda Table Tennis Federation Mr. John Bosco Birungi officiated the opening ceremony of the training while the closing ceremony was attended by the President of Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee Mr. Theo UWAYO and the representative of Ministry of Sports Mr. Gervais MUNYANZIZA.

At the opening ceremony of the workshop, Mr. John Bosco Birungi, President of the Rwanda Table Tennis Federation, said: “Our coaches were not at the required level and needed to be trained in order to make the game more professional. I also take this opportunity to thank the RNOSC and the Ministry of Sports for their partnership to make this happen.”

The President of Rwanda Table Tennis Federation John Bosco Birungi at the opening ceremony of the technical course, January 18.

In his opening remarks: “Our responsibilities include assisting our members (National Sports Federations) in technical or management training. The 10-day course is for 29 coaches so we hope that at least each district will have a trained table tennis coach,” said Joseph KAJANGWE, the Secretary General of the RNOSC.

The RNOSC Secretary General Joseph KAJANGWE speaking at the opening ceremony, January 18.

The expert Cédric ROULEAU praised the inclusiveness when it came to the representation of participants.

“There are active and former players in the national team. The Rwanda Schools Sports Federation is also represented and for the sustainable development of the game, it is always good to promote it in schools. People with disabilities and women have also taken part of in the course.”

The ITTF Expert Cédric ROULEAU.

Révérien Nsabimana, a trainee from Ruhango District, said they are going to start implementing what they have been taught in their clubs, which are located in different parts of the country and the federation pledged to keep assisting them.

During his closing remarks, the representative of the Ministry of Sports Gervais Munyanziza, said: “I congratulate the RNOSC and Table Tennis Federation for the initiative. The Ministry will continue to closely work with various stakeholders such as the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee to further accelerate the development of sports sector.”

The representative of the Ministry of Sports Gervais MUNYANZIZA addressing the participants during the closing ceremony, January 26.

At its conclusion, the RNOSC President Theo UWAYO, urged the participants to go back in their respective clubs and share the skills they have learned during this 10-day training with their members.

“This is a high-level training course, which was provided by the International Table Tennis Federation Expert Mr. Cédric ROULEAU. I hope it will help produce more table tennis players in country under the Federation’s lead in the near future,” He said.

The RNOSC President Mr. Theo UWAYO giving his closing remarks.

The event was concluded on January 26 with a certificate award ceremony, exchange of gifts and a group photo.

Group of photo after receiving the certificates

Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee continues to empower and strengthen capacity-skills for both elite sports and Sports For All as well as to uplift sports disciplines which are lagging behind by training the sports administrators, coaches and supporting talented athletes.

For more photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/158785774@N02/albums/72177720296043835/page1/