JOSEPH “JOBY” RIGHT Started his job Technical Director.
Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA) officially unveiled American Joseph ‘Joby’ Wright as the new technical director on Friday at Amahoro National Stadium.
Wright, 66, is an American former college and professional basketball player, who comes to Rwanda with vast experience, according to FERWABA secretary general, Richard Mutabazi.
Mutabazi noted that, “Previously we thought our basketball does not need a foreign technical director since the standards were still down but now we med-blog.com it’s the right time to appoint somebody with vast experience to help improve the sport.”
“We are confident that the new technical director will help take Rwandan basketball to another level,” added Mutabazi. The American signed a two-year contract until end of 2018.
On his part, the new technical director said that, “I am pleased to work in Rwanda, a country with unlimited potential.”
“Having had the opportunity to travel in 12 African countries, I was impressed with Rwanda because of many things; 60% of the population are youth, safety, infrastructure and the leadership right from the President of the country, enticed me to come and work here,” Wright explained.
He added, “I’m looking forward to working with the national teams and coaches. I have spent a lot of my life impacting young people in basketball. I believe we can have a great national team in Rwanda.”
“Rwanda has the potential to develop in basketball. It’s not going to be easy because there are challenges but we can overcome that with commitment from everyone,” he noted.
The new technical director will be responsible for a whole host of things that will offer an element of continuity above and beyond training and improving skills among the coaches.
He will be charged with designing a basketball youth development program, selecting national coaches for national basketball teams, searching for corporate sponsorship and finding trainings outside Rwanda.
Initiator: Rwandan National Olympic and Sports Committee and Root Foundation Rwanda
Participating Organisations: – SOS Children’s Village (300 children) – Root Foundation (120) – ASOLATE (60) – Esperance (120) – Hope of Tomorrow (180) – Love the kids foundation (30) – Skate – Aid Rwanda – Les Enfants de dieu (100) – Tumukunde Foundation (10) – Rwandan Samarithan Choice (10)
Program: On the 21st December, around 1,200 vulnerable children from Rwanda are going to celebrate the end of the year together in Stade Amahoro. After a march from RDB to the Stadium in the morning, the children will parade during the official opening ceremony inside the stadium. Throughout the day, olympic athletes, famous women health such as King James and Rafiki, great dancers like snipers dance crew and Lebron Isaac will be inspiring and entertaining all our children. The Rwanda Athletics Federation will be offering several sport workshops and use this opportunity to detect potential future athletes. Other activities, such as frisbee, basketball, skateboarding will be discovered by the children. The celebrations will end with performances from the organisation’s children.
Special Guests:King James, Rafiki – King of Coga, Snipers Dance Crew, Edouce, Lebron Isaac
Comments: – first ever initiative of this kind of event in rwanda – made possible because of many people supporting the good cause of the event – yearly / repetitive event with huge potential to address more and more children and offer more – prospect for next years: willing to include refugees, people with disabilities and orphans
Quotes: Robert Bayigamba, President, Rwandan National Olympic and Sports Committee “As the President of the Rwandan National Olympic and Sports Committee, it is my duty to spread the Olympic values of solidarity and fraternity towards the vulnerable children of Rwanda this December. Today the whole RNOSC is proud to initiate this first event of this kind in our country. We will make this children enjoy the moment and create hope for their future”.
Paul Klahre, Assistant Director of Root Foundation, Co-initiator of the event: “Everyone has to admit the great impact the event is going to have on our children. Simply by dedicating time and joint efforts towards our needy children, we – as the Rwandan society – are going change the lives and attitudes of our children. I can’t wait to see their smile entering the Stadium, experiencing the affection every child deserves”.
Antoine de Kervern, RNOSC, Co-initiator: “With this very ambitious project, we have achieved raising awareness of vulnerable children of Rwanda. Impacting the lives of our children through sports and inspiration, is a vision I am proud to turn into a tangible event”.
Rafiki Coga, Musician, Ambassador of Children Sports Day 2016: “I do agree when Fred Rogers says that anyone who does anything to help a kid is a hero for me. Today, let’s think about what we can do, not what we cannot. Today, let’s all be heroes”.
Alphonsine Agahozo, National Swimming Champion, Ambassador: “With this event, we are going to a have a great impact on vulnerable children of Rwanda”.
Links for more information: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChildrenSportsDay2016/?fref=ts Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W-OHxl3iYQ&feature=youtu.be Rafiki Speech (Kinyarwanda): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UibYRJSHV8I Rafiki Speech (English): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLoh4vWKDm4
Contact Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee Jean de Dieu Mukundiyukuri, Director email: [email protected] mobile: 0788 694 225 Antoine de Kervern email: [email protected] mobile:0787 810 347 Paul Klahre, Assistant Directorof Root Foundation Rwanda email: [email protected] mobile:0723 368 256/ 0781 448 765
The President of Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee, Mr. BAYIGAMBA Robert planting a tree.
The second campaign of forest landscape restoration campaign through sport 2016 took place in Gicumbi district last Sunday, December 4th, 2016.
The forest landscape restoration campaign through sport 2016 is a series of activities organized by The Ministry of natural resources (MINIRENA) in partnership with The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), The Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) and the Rwanda Natural Resources Authority (RNRA).
Gicumbi is the origin of Handball, this second campaign has been made through a Handball competition as the key to increase a massive awareness on landscape restoration.
Four first division teams: GICUMBI, APR, POLICE, NYAKABANDA, and APR attended this tree planting campaign competition.
APR handball club defeated POLICE handball club on the final match with the score of 27-22.
The president of Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee, Mr. BAYIGAMBA Robert, the vice mayor of Gicumbi district in charge of finance and the programs manager of IUCN and other dignities were present.
All the speeches focused on protecting the environment by planting trees and encouraged everyone to protect the environment.
Jamaica’s Usain Bolt and Ethiopia’s Almaz Ayana have been named the male and female World Athletes of the Year at the IAAF Athletics Awards 2016, held at Sporting Monte Carlo on this Friday, December 2, 2016.
Bolt, who won the award five times between 2008 and 2013, added to his legacy by earning the trophy for a record sixth occasion. The sprinting superstar this year successfully defended his Olympic titles in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m, bringing his lifetime tally of Olympic gold medals to nine.
He clocked season’s bests of 9.81 and 19.78 to win the 100m and 200m in Rio and then anchored the Jamaican team to a world-leading 37.27 when winning the 4x100m.
He also went undefeated throughout the whole season at all distances, including heats.
“I live for the moments when I walk into a stadium and I hear a loud roar and Rio was outstanding,” said Bolt, whose award was presented by IAAF President Sebastian Coe. “One of the main reasons I’m continuing for another year is because of the fans; they don’t want me to retire. I have to give thanks to them.”
Ayana had a record-breaking year. After recording the fastest 10,000m debut in history in June, the Ethiopian went on to win the Olympic title at the distance in a world record of 29:17.45.
She added to her Olympic medal haul in Rio by taking bronze in the 5000m, her only loss of the year. Having recorded three of the eight fastest times at 5000m, she ended the year as the Diamond Race winner for that discipline.
She becomes the third Ethiopian woman to win this award, following Genzebe Dibaba in 2015 and Meseret Defar in 2007.
“I don’t have words to explain my feelings right now, I’m so excited,” said Ayana whose award was presented by International Athletics Foundation (IAF) Honorary President HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco. “Really, I’m so pleased.”
OTHER AWARDS
MALE RISING STAR Andre De Grasse
At the age of 21, the Canadian sprinter earned the Olympic 200m silver medal in Rio, having set a national record of 19.80 in the semifinal. He took bronze over 100m in a PB of 9.91 and anchored the Canadian team to bronze in the 4x100m, setting a national record of 37.64.
FEMALE RISING STAR
Nafissatou Thiam
The Belgian all-round talent won gold in the heptathlon at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games with a world-leading national record of 6810. Just 21 at the time, only one athlete (Carolina Kluft) has ever produced a higher score than Thiam’s at that age. En route to her Olympic triumph, she set a world heptathlon best of 1.98m in the high jump; higher than the winning leap in the individual high jump final.
COACHING ACHIEVEMENT Harry Marra
The US coach guided Ashton Eaton to his second successive decathlon gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where Eaton equalled the Olympic record, and his third consecutive world indoor heptathlon title. Marra also guided Brianne Theisen-Eaton to the pentathlon title at the IAAF World Indoor Championships Portland 2016, where she broke the North American record. She later earned the bronze medal in the heptathlon at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
PRESIDENTS AWARD
Tegla Loroupe
Loroupe was the Chef de Mission for the Refugee Olympic Team in Rio. The former marathon world record-holder helped select the Refugee Olympic Team after the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation held a competition at the Kakuma refugee camp in north-west Kenya.
This award recognises and honours great service to athletics.
WOMEN IN ATHLETICS
Polyxeni Argeitaki
Argeitaki is an assistant professor of athletics at the National Kapodistrian University of Athens. The former Greek champion at middle-distance events is the treasurer, council member and president of the scientific committee at the Hellenic Athletics Federation. She has also written more than 50 scientific publications.
This award recognises outstanding achievements and contributions made to develop, encourage and strengthen the participation of women and girls at all levels of the sport.
The President of Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee planting a tree after half time of the match.
We won’t have a society if we destroy the environment thus we don’t have to be aware only of the empty space in the forest, which only yesterday was filled with trees that’s why On the 26th December 2016, The Ministry of natural resources (MINIRENA) in partnership with The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), The Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) and the Rwanda Natural Resources Authority (RNRA) organized a National Tree Planting Campaign to make a massive awareness on Landscape Restoration using sports.
“Forests are sources of clean air”
The 26th campaign started with the tree planting on the roads at the special economic zone, the second activity of the day was a football match between the most popular team in Rwanda Rayon Sports F.C and Bugesera F.C.
Before the beginning of the match the captain of Rayon Sport F.C, Mr. Jean Luc NDAYISHIMIYE on behalf of the teams addressed a message to the spectators asking them to protect the environment by planting trees and encouraged everyone present to protect the environment.
The tree planting ceremony was made during the half time of the match and was attended the following dignitaries:
The Minister of MINIRENA, Honourable Dr. BIRUTA Vincent,
The Minister of defence (MINADEF), Honourable Gen. KABAREBE James,
The Mayor of Kigali City, Mrs MUKARULIZA Monique,
The President of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee, Mr BAYIGAMBA Robert,
The Vice Mayor of Kigali City, Mr BUSABIZWA Parfait,
The IUCN regional technical coordinator, People and landscapes programme Mr. ROBERT Wild.
The IUCN regional coordinator forests and landscape restoration, Mr. Charles KARANGWA.
The President of Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), Mr NZAMWITA Vincent De Gaulle,
The President of Rayon Sports F.C Mr. GACINYA Chance Denis.
2 Team captains.
The activities of this campaign are underway where the second wave of the campaign will take place in Gatsibo, with volleyball competitions. Prior to the competitions, the public will participate in tree planting of 5, 000 seedlings.
The third event will take place in Gicumbi where a handball competition for both men and women is to be organized, again a total of 5,000 seedlings will be planted during this event.
The first day of the campaign in photographs:
Stade Regional de Kigali/Nyamirambo.Bugesera FC.Rayon Sport FC.Dignitaries.
Honourable Minister of MINIRENA, Dr. BIRUTA Vincent planting a tree.
Honourable Minister of defence (MINADEF), Gen. KABAREBE James.The President of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee, Mr BAYIGAMBA Robert planting a tree.
The Mayor of Kigali City, Mrs MUKARULIZA Monique
The President of Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA), Mr NZAMWITA Vincent De Gaulle.
The Vice Mayor of Kigali city Mr. Busabizwa Parfait (left) and the President of Rayon Sports F.C Mr. GACINYA Chance Denis in the center.
2 team Captains and the IUCN regional coordinator forests and landscape restoration Mr. KARANGWA Charles.Honourable Dr. BIRUTA Vincent addressing his speech.
The IUCN technical coordinator, People and Landscape programme addressing his speech to the audience.
Trees were planted in the box.
The President of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee, Mr. BAYIGAMBA Robert delivering his rousing speech to the people.
Valens Ndayisenga cheers the public after winning the Tour du Rwanda 2016 on Sunday. / Faustin Niyigena
Stage 7: Top Five
1. Tesfom Okubamariam- Eritrea National Team 02h43’21’ 2. Eyob Metkel- Dimension Data for Qhubeka 02h43’21’ 3. Valens Ndayisenga- Dimension Data for Qhubeka 02h43’24’ 4. Aman Werkilul Ghebreigzabhier-Dimension Data for Qhubeka 02h43’40’ 5. Elyas Afewerki- Eritrean National Team 02h43’40’
General Classification: Top Five 1. Valens Ndayisenga- Dimension Data for Qhubeka 21h15’21” 2. Eyob Metkel- Dimension Data for Qhubeka 21h16’00’ 3. Tesfom Okubamariam- Eritrea National Team 21h16’51’ 4. Joseph Areruya- Les Amis Sportif 21h18’13’ 5. Aman Werkilul Ghebreigzabhier-Dimension Data for Qhubeka 21h19’26”
For the third time in a row, Rwandans have proved to be the masters of their own race with Valens Ndayisenga, riding for South Africa-based Continental Team Dimension Data, clinched this year’s eighth edition that climaxed today at Amahoro National Stadium.
Despite finishing third in the final stage (Kigali-Kigali; 108km), three seconds behind Eritrean stage winner Tesfom Okubamariam, Ndayisenga claimed this year’s title to become the first rider to win the UCI Africa Tour, category 2.2 road race, more than once.
The 2014 winner took this year’s edition having used a time of 21 hours, 15 minutes and 21 seconds, covering seven stages and a prologue, a total distance of 819.1km.
The 22-year old Rwamagana native beat off stiff competition from his teammate Eyob Metkel, who finished just 39 seconds behind in second place after clocking 21h16’00’, while Okubamariam came third using 21h16’51’.
Last year’s first runner-up, Joseph Areruya, riding for Les Amis Sportifs de Rwamagana, finished in the fourth place having used 21h18’13’.
However, it was a year to forget for defending champion Jean-Bosco Nsengimana of Germany’s Stradalli Bike Aid, who could only managed 9th place in the general classification after using 21h20’24’’ a gap of five minutes and three seconds behind Ndayisenga.
Ndayisenga is the first rider to win Tour du Rwanda twice since it became part of UCI Africa Tour in 2009.
Valens Ndayisenga celebrates after crossing the finishing line of stage six yesterday in Nyamirambo while Team Dimension data teammate Eritrean Eyob Metkel (L) came into second position. / Faustin Niyigena
As the 2016 Tour du Rwanda draws to a close today, Rwanda’s Valens Ndayisenga is one race away from becoming the first rider to win the race for a second time.
Since 2009 when Tour du Rwanda became an international race, no cyclist has won the annual event more than once, however, the South Africa’s Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka rider made the crucial step towards this historic landmark yesterday clinching the sixth stage from Kigali-Musanze (90.9km) to retain his yellow jersey he took since stage 2.
Despite a modest display in stage five (Muhanga-Musanze; 125.8km) on Friday finishing in the 18th place, Ndayisenga made upped his efforts yesterday winning the penultimate stage which makes him a favourite to claim this year’s title.
The 23-year-old 2014 champion reached the finish line in Nyamirambo using a total of 2 hours, 20 minutes and 38 seconds, the same time that his nearest contender Metkel used covering the 90.9km distance that was characterized by heavy winds and downpours all the way.
Eritrean Eyob Metkel celebrates after crossing the finish line in stage five of Tour du Rwanda in Musanze town. / Photos by Faustin Niyigena
Stage 5: Top Ten 1. Eyob Metkel- Dimension Data 03h15’57’’ 2. Patrick Byukusenge- Club Benediction 03h15’57’’ 3. Kibrom Hailay Giday- Ethiopia National Team 03h15’57’’ 4. Gasore Hategeka- Team Rwanda 03h15’57’’ 5. Bonaventure Uwizeyimana- Dimension Data 03h16’43’’ 6. Tesfom Okubamariam- Eritrea National Team 03h16’43’’ 7. Calvin Beneke- South Africa National Team 03h16’43’’ 8. Omer Goldshtein- Cycling Academy Team 03h16’43” 9. Aman Werkilul Ghebreigzabhier- Dimension 03h16’43’’ 10. Temesgen Mebrahtu Buru- Ethiopia National Team 03h16’43’’ ‘’
General Classification 1. Valens Ndayisenga -Dimension Data 16h11’19’’ 2. Eyob Metkel – Dimension Data 16h12’01’’ 3. Joseph Areruya – Les Amis Sportifs 16h12’35’’ 4. Tesfom Okubamariam – Eritrea National Team 16h12’42’’ 5. Jean Bosco Nsengimana – Stradalli-Bike Aid 16h12’45’’ 6. Patrick Byukusenge – Club Benediction 16h13’59’’ 7. Hailay Kibrom Giday- Ethiopia National Team 16h14’22” 8. Amanu Ghebreigzabhier Werkilul – Dimension Data 16h14’44’’ 9. Suleiman Kangagi – Kenyan Riders DownUnder 16h14’45’’ 10. Temesgen Mebrahtu Buru – Ethiopia National team 16h14’56’’
Eyob Metkel, who is riding for Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka, won Stage 5 of Tour du Rwanda on Friday to pile pressure on teammate and yellow jersey holder, Valens Ndayisenga.
Tour leader Ndayisenga greets cycling fans in Muhanga yesterday.
Riders pedal their way to Musanze District yesterday. Here, they were riding past a mosque in Muhanga District in the Southern Province.
Crowds in Muhanga cheer the riders on during stage five of the ongoing Tour du Rwanda 2016 yesterday.
Despite a long and difficult day that was characterised by cold winds and heavy rains in Nyabihu, about 25 kilometres to the finish line, it didn’t stop the 23-year-old three-time Tour du Rwanda stage winner (2013, 2015 and 2016) from claiming his first victory of this year’s race.
Rwandan Valens Ndayisenga (in yellow jersey) of South Africa’s Team Dimension Data For Qhubeka retained the prestigious jersey after stage five yesterday.
Eritrian Eyob Metkel (L) won yesterday’s stage but it was not enough to wrestle the yellow jersey from his South African club teammate, Rwandan Valens (R). Ndayisenga
The Eritrean used 3 hours, 15 minutes and 57 seconds, same time as Patrick Byukusenge (2nd) of Club Benediction, Kibrom Hailay Giday (3rd) of Ethiopia National Team and Team Rwanda’s Gasore Hategeka (4th).
Samuel Kadari poses with his rising son, Samuel Mugisha, in Muhanga yesterday.
Fans in Rugabano in Ngororero District blew vuvuzeras in support of the riders.
Eyob, who has won the yellow jersey a combined nine times between 2013 and 2015 but without winning the overall race, made his intention of grabbing the leader’s yellow jersey from Ndayisenga, who has worn it since stage two.
Samuel Mugisha, the best climber of Tour du Rwanda 2016 since it started on Sunday, crosses the finish line walking after suffering an accident in Musanze yesterday.
Gasore Hategeka enjoys a huge fan base in Nyabihu District.
The quartet finished 46 seconds ahead of the second peloton that comprised 16 riders, including Bonaventure Uwizeyimana (Dimension Data), Jean Bosco Nsengimana (Stradalli-Bike Aid), stage 4 winner Joseph Areruya while yellow Jersey holder and stage two winner, Valens Ndayisenga was 18th.
The riders braved a chilly day in Nyabihu and elsewhere during stage five.
In Nyabihu, fans were excited to see the riders during the Tour’s stage five yesterday.
“It was a tough stage and I am happy to win, but our first target as a team is to keep the yellow jersey with Ndayisenga,” said Eyob in an interview with Times Sport after scooping the Skol’s Orange jersey of the stage winner.
The riders were welcomed by thousands of excited fans in Musanze, with some using this complex to catch a glimpse of the competitors.
Mugisha’s bike got technical problems a few minutes to the finish line in Musanze District during Tour du Rwanda’s stage five yesterday.
After his victory, Eyob moved from the fifth to the second place in the general classification having reduced the gap on the race leader by 42 seconds, with two stages remaining.
They also rode through Ngororero District en route to Musanze.
Ndayisenga (second right) finished in 18th position yesterday but remains at the top of the general classification going into the race’s final two days.
Rwandan Ndayisenga, winner in 2014 and bidding to become the first rider to win Tour du Rwanda more than once since it became a UCI Africa Tour race in 2009, has used a total of 16 hours, 11 minutes and 19 seconds.
Tour du Rwanda riders enter Mimbi area in Ngororero District during stage five.
Oussama Mansouri signs the attendance list before stage five could get underway in Muhanga yesterday.
Asked if they will not be against each other in the remaining two final stages with Ndayisenga, Eyob noted that, “No, no, we are not against each, we are a team and we are working together so that we win the tour both as a team and the yellow.”
Residents look on as the riders embark on stage five in Muhanga yesterday.
Twenty-year old Areruya of Les Amis Sportifs de Rwamagana comes in third place with 16 hours, 12 minutes and 35 seconds followed by Tesfom Okubamariam, riding for Eriteria national team with 16h12’42” while defending champion Nsengimana is in the fifth place with 16h12’45”.
Riders enter Kanogo in Ngororero District in Day Six of the annual competition yesterday.
For the fourth day in a row, Benediction Club youngster Samuel Mugisha claimed the best climber jersey while Ndayisenga scooped the young, best Rwandan, best African jerseys. Today riders will race in the penultimate stage from Musanze to Kigali, covering a distance of 103.9km.
21-year-old Joseph Areruya has won Stage Four of Tour du Rwanda 2016. The youngster, who rides for Rwamagana-based Amis Sportifs, took stage four, also known as ‘Nyungwe Challenge’ in 4 hours two minutes and 23 seconds.
Areruya was followed by compatriot Joseph Biziyaremye and while Eritrea national, Ghebreigzabhier Amanu emerged third. Over 20 riders finished at the same time.
For this stage, riders rode through the vast tropical rain forest of Nyungwe for a distance of 140.7km making it the longest stage of this year’s Tour du Rwanda.
Rwandan, Valens Ndayisenga who rides for Dimension Data maintains the yellow jersey as he still lead in the general classification with 1 minute and 6 seconds ahead of Areruya.
18-year-old Samuel Mugisha, who lead the pack until the final one kilometre of the Rusizi-Huye race once again won best climber.
Friday will be stage five of the competition that will see riders sprint from Muhanga in the Southern Province to Musanze in the Northern Province, covering 125.8 kilometres.
Prologue winner, Timothy Rugg has won Stage Three of the Tour du Rwanda 2016. The American who rides for Canada-based Team LowestRates took the stage in 3 hours, 18 minutes and 16 seconds.
Stage three, also known as the ‘Kivu-belt’ race, is a 115.9 km chase between Karongi and Rusizi districts in the Western Province.
It’s one of the two new routes that have been added to this year’s Tour du Rwanda.
Joseph Areruya of Rwamagana-based Les Amis Sportifs finished in second position while Eritrean Eyob Metkel of Dimension Data was third.
Top Ten riders of Stage three of Tour du Rwanda.
However, despite finishing 7th in this race, Valens Ndayisenga maintains the yellow jersey.
18-year-old Samuel Mugisha once again won best climber.
On Thursday, the riders head to Huye District for stage four of the competition.
