Two times Former Olympian Alexis Sharangabo was elected by Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) as the organization’s new Secretary-General on last Saturday during the Extraordinary General Assembly held at Lemigo Hotel in Kigali.
Sharangabo Alexis being interviewed for the first time as SG of Rwanda Olympic.
The retired athlete who contested unopposed was unanimously voted with a total of 36 votes – replacing Dominique Bizimana who resigned in March for personal reasons.
“I will work tirelessly with the RNOSC executive committee to contribute to the advancement of sports in the country,” he said
Mr. Sharangabo joined other six members of RNOSC Executive Committee who were elected on March 11th, 2017.
Sharangabo represented Rwanda twice at the Olympics Games, in the men’s 1,500 meters category – in 1996 in the United States and 2000 in Australia.
The former athlete who also works with Rwanda Athletics Federation technical committee also represented the country in other various global competitions such as; the 1994 Jeux de la Francophonie in France, the 1994 IAAF World Junior Championships in Portugal and 1999 All Africa Games in South Africa, to mention but a few.
For more photos of Extraordinary General Assembly of 16th June 2018, click here.
Men O. Havugimana vs H. Gatete E. Niyigena vs B. Karenzi D. Habiyambere vs M. Uwizeyimana E. Habiyambere vs F. Tuyishime
Women Nancy Onya vs C. Niyonshima C. Mutuyimana vs O. Tuyisenge M. Ingabire vs F. Cyiza G. Umumararungu vs J. Umulisa
Rwanda’s second seed Olivier Havugimana will have sight set on the last four when he takes on Hamissi Gatete this morning in quarter-finals of the Genocide Memorial Tennis Tournament.
Havugimana progressed to quarter-finals yesterday after brushing aside Yannick Muvunyi in straight sets 6-4, 6-3, while Gatete sent Bruce Ngabo packing also in two sets – 6-1, 6-2.
This year’s tennis memorial tournament that started on June 8 and will run through June 16 at Amahoro stadium courts.
In other men’s quarter-final clashes today, Etienne Niyigena face Bertin Karenzi, Dieudonné Habiyambere entertain Mathieu Uwizeyimana while Ernest Habiyambere, the 2016 winner, will be up against youngster Fabrice Tuyishime.
In women’s fray, holder Nancy Onya takes on Clenia Niyonshima, Chantal Mutuyimana face Olive Tuyisenge and topseed Meganne Ingabire will be up against Fridaus Cyiza whilst second seed Gisele Umumararungu tussles it out with Jossline Umulisa.
The week-long tourney has attracted a total 136 players from Rwanda and DR Congo.
The competition is part of memorial events organized by national sports federations every year under the sponsorship of Ministry of Sports and Culture and Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee in honour of sportsmen and women that were killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Rwandan youngsters made an impression at the 2018 Genocide Memorial Chess Tournament (GMCT) which concluded Sunday night in Kigali even though members of the Ugandan delegation, as expected, dominated the medals podium.
The tournament comprised a rated international section – with 33 participants – which was won by Uganda’s Allan Mathias Ssonko but there was a special shine for Rwanda in the unrated open section (57 players) also won by a Ugandan, Ivan Jalagatha Mugisha.
In the open section, 12-year old Ben Patrick Cyubahiro, surprised many by emerging third – and best junior – after losing only one game in the six-round contest.
With four wins each, Happiness Mutete, a primary six pupil of Ecole Primaire Kinunga, in Gikondo, and Joselyne Uwase, 15, a senior two student of GS Kimisange, got awarded best ladies though Mutete took home a trophy due to her tie-break advantage. Overall, Mutete was 11th and Uwase 17th.
Rwanda Chess Federation (FERWADE) president Kevin Ganza said he was happy to see more local schools participating since, in last year’s GMCT, only students from Riviera High School participated.
This time, there were students from Kagarama Secondary School, Lycée Notre Dame de Citeaux (LNDC), SOS Hermann Gmeiner Technical High School, GS Kimisange and Riviera High School.
Ganza said: “The amazing performance by our youngsters was impressive; Mutete Happiness, Cyubahiro Ben Patrick and Uwase Joselyne. There was also a very promising young Ugandan girl who’s spirit and passion for chess and school is very commendable.”
Rongin Munyurangabo, Uwase’s 17-year old brother was seventh.
All the more than 20 Rwandan teens – all students – who participated in the tournament could only afford to register for the open section which started Saturday, unlike the international section that begun Friday.
Uganda’s 10-year old Mary Kevin Ndagire, the only youngster in the international section, took home two trophies.
Emmanuel Mwaka, president of Uganda’s chess federation, said chess is supposed to be used “to build friendship” and there is no better time than at the commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. And he too acknowledges that youngsters are a force to reckon with.
Mwaka said: “The youngsters are clear testimony to the future of regional chess. The ladies’ continued participation continues to bridge the equality gap between men and women.”
Gisagara Volleyball Club were crowned champions of the 2018 Volleyball Genocide Memorial Tournament on Sunday night after defeating Rwanda Energy Group, REG, in straight sets in the final at Amahoro Indoor Stadium.
Gisagara took control of the game from the get-go, winning the first set 25-23 and the second one 25-19. REG put up a spirited fight in the third set but still lost the third set 27-25.
“This is an important win for us because we really wanted to get our hands on this trophy, our first GMT title. I am very happy for my players,” an excited Gisagara coach, Fidele Nyirimana, told Times Sport after claiming the title on Sunday.
In women category, Uganda’s Nkumba University libido the title after overpowering Kenyan side KCB in four sets; 23-25, 25-15, 25-22 and 25-19 respectively.
In the semi-finals, REG beat University of Tourism Technology and Business Studies (UTB) in three sets (3-0) while Gisagara also thumped the 2017 winners, APR, in straight sets.
In women’s round of last four, KCB beat defending champions APR 3-0 whilst Nkumba University overcame Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) in a five-set thriller.
On top of the trophy and medals, the winners in both men and women’s category were pocketed Rwf1,000,000, the finalists walked away with Rwf600,000 while the second runners-up RRA and UTB bagged Rwf400,000 apiece.
Eighteen national athletes have been selected to start intensive preparations for the upcoming 3rd African Youth Games scheduled to kick off 17-28 in the North African state of Algeria.
Athletes at start line.
The selection was carried out over the weekend (10 June) at Amahoro National Stadium by the National Athletics body (RAF) under the observation of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC).
The junior athletes are supposed to bein non-residential training this week before reporting to camp later this month, according to RAF Secretary General Olivier Umutangana.
“The athletes are from 11 different clubs as well as different districts across the Nation. This is a great opportunity for the athletes to use this chance to shine thanks to Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee plus the Ministry of Sports and Culture for the support as well as positive work relations.”
RAF Secretary General Olivier Umutangana.
He added that in athletics it is different from other sports disciplines because one might be the best in a road race but when it comes to an indoor stadium they are beaten, the reason is that they are not used to race on such an infrastructure.
“That is why the provisional selected athletes will have to be trained at Amahoro National Stadium since they will be competing at the similar ground in Algeria,” he pointed out.
Jean Pierre Ndacyayisenga, RAF Technical Director, was also part of the selection committee.
RAF Technical Director, Jean Pierre Ndacyayisenga (Left), RNOSC Executive Director, Jean de Dieu Mukundiyukuri (Center) and RNOSC Staff Member, Jean Jacques Mugisha (Right).
“The boys and girls are starting non-residential training this week before they enter camp in three weeks. From the eighteen, we shall yet again select the best for athletes to represent the country,”
The Africa Youth Games is an international multi-sport event held every four years. The 2nd African Youth Games took place in Gaborone, Botswana’s capital City from 22 to 31 May 2014.
Hermine E’GAIRMA, the RNOSC advisor and president of athlete’s commission at RNOSC also promised that the RNOSC will make a follow up on these athletes together with RAF and their respective clubs to make sure that they become future prospects for the Nation.
Hermine E’GAIRMA, the RNOSC advisor and president of athlete’s commission at Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC).
Apart from competing in athletics, Rwanda will also field representatives in beach volleyball and karate at the ten-day African Youth Games.
The multidiscipline competitions will double as qualifiers for this year’s Youth Olympic Games scheduled for October 6-18 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Full provisional roster
Girls’ 3,000 meters: Agnes Ibishatse, Sandrine Mukamusana, and Dorothy Nayituriki
Boys 3,000 meters: Aime Frodite Bakunzi, Assel Nsengiyumva, and Jean Baptiste Niyomukiza
Girls’ 1,500 meters: Mediatrice Iradukunda, Christine Yamuragiye, and Nadine Mahoromeza
Boys’ 1,500 meters: Dieudonne Ugeziwe, Placide Byiringiro, and Gad Niyonkuru
Girls’ 800 meters: Belyse Nishimwe, Marthe Niyonkuru, and Delphine Uwuzuyimena
Boys’ 800 meters: Victoire Ingabire, Samson Ncunguyinka, and Uwumuremyi Olivier
At the 2014 edition of the Africa Youth Games held in Gaborone, Botswana, Rwanda was represented by a total of 49 athletes, 30 female and 19 male in 11 sports disciplines including; athletics, basketball (3 on 3), cycling, fencing, boxing, karate, lawn tennis, golf, taekwondo, table tennis and volleyball.
Rwandans settled for two bronze medals, one in boxing and one in girls’ volleyball.
Ku bufatanye na Minisiteri ya Siporo n’Umuco, Komite Olempike yafashe icyemezo ko nta mukinnyi uzongera kujya yemererwa kujya guserukira u Rwanda mu marushanwa mpuzamahanga atabanje guhiganwa n’abandi mu gihugu kugira ngo hahabwe amahirwe ushoboye.
Perezida wa Komite Olempike aganiriza abakinnyi.
Mu mikino imwe n’imwe, hagiye hakunda kuvugwa abakinnyi bumva ko bakomeye bazahamagarwa byanze bikunze igihe cyose ikipe y’igihugu izaba igiye gusohoka mu marushanwa mpuzamahanga, bigatuma birara kuko ntabo bahanganye.
Nk’uko Perezida wa Komite, Olempike Amb. Munyabagisha Valens, yabitangarije abanyamakuru kuri uyu wa Gatatu, ubwo habaga igikorwa cyo gutoranya abangavu n’ingimbi bazaserukira u Rwanda mu mikino Nyafurika y’abato ‘African Youth Games’ izabera Alger, basanze gufata abakinnyi bamwe buri gihe bituma nta mbaraga bashyiramo bikagira n’ingaruka ku musaruro.
Yagize ati “Mu minsi inshize twafashe icyemezo ko abakinnyi bose bajya mu marushanwa mpuzamahanga, bazajya babanza gukora andi marushanwa hano tukareba abari hejuru y’abandi. Mbere amashyirahamwe y’imikino niyo yaduhaga amazina y’abameze neza ariko twabonaga ko bagenda bakirara, bakaba bamara n’igihe batitoza kuko bazi ko ari bo bazagenda.”
Igikorwa cyo gukoresha amarushanwa abitegura gusohokera igihugu cyatangiriye ku bangavu n’ingimbi zikina volleyball yo ku mucanga, aho abakobwa 10 bagize amakipe atanu kuko bakina ari babiri babiri, kimwe n’abahungu bahuriye i Remera bahanganiye itike yo kuzitabira imikino y’urubyiruko ku rwego rwa Afurika iteganyijwe ku wa 18-28 Nyakanga 2018 i Alger muri Algeria.
Mu bakobwa hari hasanzwe hari ikipe ya Munezero Valentine wiga muri IPRC Kigali na Musabyimana Penelope wiga muri Saint Joseph i Kabgayi, yitabiriye amarushanwa ya Commonwealth yabereye Bahamas umwaka ushize ikegukana umudali wa Bronze.
Kubera amabwiriza mashya ya Komite Olempike, iyi kipe yahanganye n’izindi eshatu, yitwara neza ariko haboneka indi igizwe na Ingabire Hycentha wiga muri Saint Joseph na Kayitesi Clementine wiga muri Saint Aloys, nayo ihagaze neza bituma zifatwa zombi zijya mu mwiherero, aho zizakomeza guhatana inziza ikaba ariyo izasohoka.
Mu bahungu, naho hafashwe amakipe abiri yitwaye neza muri atanu yakinnye imikino y’amajonjora, iya mbere igizwe na Kageruka Cedrick na Masabo Bernard biga muri College Christ Roi; indi igizwe na Ngabo Rwamuhizi Romeo wiga muri PSVF de Butare na Ndahayo Dieu Est la wiga muri Don Bosco Gatenga, nabo bajya mu mwiherero hakazavamo imwe izajya muri Algeria.
Muri African Youth Games, u Rwanda ruzaserukirwa mu mikino itatu harimo volleyball, karate no gusiganwa ku maguru, amajonjora y’abazajyayo akazakorwa ku Cyumweru tariki 10 Kamena.
Abana bose bahawe amahirwe yo kugaragaza impano zabo bitandukanye na mbere aho hasohokaga abasanzwe ari aba mbere nta marushanwa yandi bakoze.
Rwanda National Olympic held a consultative meeting with all Olympic National Sports Federations on June 5th, 2018 at Hill Top Hotel.
About 20 Olympic National Sports Federations attended the meeting.
The one-day meeting was aimed at reviewing how sports federations can overcome daily challenges faced besides to strengthen working relations between sports bodies and the National Olympic and Sports Committee through communication.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss about the implementation of Rwandan Government’s policy of a sport development culture that will significantly contribute to improved health of individuals, promotion of social cohesion and to generate economic benefits to participants and the country in general.
“We as the institutions in charge of tackling the development of sports we have to think how sports can be turned into an economic brand that can drive development in sectors like thrush for instance Tour of Rwanda and Marathon races.” RNOSC President, Amb. Valens Munyabagisha said.
The President of RNOSC, Amb. Valens MUNYABAGISHA.
The Executive Director of RNOSC, Mr. Jean de Dieu Mukundiyukuri also used this consultative meeting to present the RNOSC Activity Report for January – May 2018.
The RNOSC Advisor, Nzabanterura Eugene (Left), The Executive Director of RNOSC, Mukundiyukuri Jean de Dieu (Center) presenting the RNOSC Activities Report Jan-May 2018 and The President of Rugby body, Araire Alex (Right).
The Rwanda National Olympic have lauded some federations including Athletics body which organized a successful 2018 Kigali International Peace Marathon where Nyirarukundo Salome and Noel Hitimana managed to walk away with gold medals in the Half Marathon category, cycling which won Tour du Cameroon last recently and Handball for winning the Zone V tournament 2018
Before closing the meeting, the RNOSC President, Amb. Valens reminded the sports bodies that the 2018 Genocide Memorial Tournaments should be organized and attended intimately.
It is expected that another consultative meeting between Rwanda National Olympic Committee and Non-Olympic National Sports bodies will be organized soon in order to keep wielding sports into exponential valuably business not only for social purposes.
Rwandan young cricket player, Prince UWIMANISHAKA passed away on this Sunday evening at Kibagabaga hospital.
At the time of his death, Prince was a member of Telegu royals cricket club and was part of the National team squad that was preparing for the ICC World T20 Africa qualifier from 5th -15th July 2018
Two weeks ago he was one the outstanding players during the Zambia Tour to Rwanda and was a crowd favorite.
The Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee is really sad and shocked on hearing this piece of news, May God give the Rwanda Sports Movement especially the cricket community and his family the courage and strengthen to pass this storm.
Burial will take place tomorrow Tuesday 5th June 2018 4pm at Rusororo Burial Grounds.
Click here for the obituary from Rwanda Cricket Association.
From 24th to 25th May, Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee is hosting the third session of Advanced Sports Management Courses with the chapter, “Managing Human Resources”.
The Director of Sports in Ministry of Sports and Culture, Mr. BUGINGO Emmanuel doing a presentation on organising human resources management.
The session is being attended by about 14 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 participants during first class of session o3.
The third session which is taking place at Amahoro National Stadium will be an occasion for the participants to be able to understand the role of human resources management in their organizations, develop and implement rules and regulations for good management of their human resources, undertake the development and implementation of a human resources strategy, identify the key principles and actions for attracting, recruiting and motivating human resources, implement a development policy through training and develop the skills to effectively manage people.
The advanced sports management course is divided into seven sessions and the first session was held on February 15-16, 2018.
The next three sessions will be staged on the following dates:
Rwanda is to become the official tourism partner of Arsenal and the Premier League football club’s first ever shirt sleeve partner.
The three-year partnership will see the new “Visit Rwanda” logo featured on the left sleeve of all first team, under-23 and Arsenal Women’s matches from the new season this August.
The deal will among others highlight Rwanda’s tourism offerings such as the National Parks, which are attracting record number of tourists due to growing numbers of wildlife including black rhino, lions, zebra, chimpanzees and the famous mountain gorillas, as well as the investment opportunities in the country.
Rwanda received 1.3 Million visitor arrivals in 2017. 94,000 tourists visited Rwanda’s three national parks of Nyungwe National Park, Akagera National Park and Volcanoes National Park. Tourism has generated 90,000 jobs and is Rwanda’s largest foreign exchange earner.
Rwanda is ranked as the third easiest place to do business in Africa by the World Bank and has been awarded for its leadership in tourism and competitiveness by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and the World Economic Forum respectively.
Rwanda Development Board Chief Executive Officer, Clare Akamanzi said:
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Arsenal and showcasing the vibrancy and beauty of our country. Rwanda is a country pulsing with energy, creativity and innovation.
“Visit Rwanda and discover why we are the second fastest growing economy in Africa. Investors in Rwanda are able to register their businesses in only six hours and prepare to enjoy the opportunities accrued from the free trade agreements that we’ve signed with over 50 countries.
“Renowned for our incredible and unique Mountain Gorilla tracking experience, tourist can also enjoy a variety of water sports, cycling, hiking, bird watching to list a few of the touristic attractions available while in Rwanda.
“In addition, we are telling investors to Visit Rwanda and discover why we are the second fastest growing economy in Africa, growing at 7.3% per annum. We want them to know that investors in Rwanda are able to register their businesses in only six hours and immediately enjoy the opportunities accrued from the free trade agreements that we’ve signed with over 50 countries”, Akamanzi added.
Arsenal players from the men’s and women’s teams will visit Rwanda and club coaches will host coaching camps to support the development of the game for boys and girls in the country.
Visit Rwanda will gain global exposure through branding on matchday LED boards, interview backdrops and the club’s stadium tour which attracts more than 250,000 visitors each year. They will also have the opportunity to engage Arsenal fans around the world through the club’s social media channels.
Arsenal’s Chief Commercial Officer, Vinai Venkatesham, said: “This is an exciting partnership which will see us support Rwanda’s ambition to build their tourism industry. The country has been transformed in recent years and Arsenal’s huge following will bring Rwanda into people’s minds in a new and dynamic way. The Arsenal shirt is seen 35 million times a day around the world and we are one of the most viewed teams around the world. We look forward to working with the Visit Rwanda team to further establish the country as a tourist destination.”
The partnership is also being supported by National Geographic who will promote Rwanda as an important tourist destination.
[Source: Rwanda Development Board Official Website]
