/ By RUGIGANA Jean Claude / BASKETBALL • CYCLING • News • VOLLEBALL/ 0 Comments

25 Sports Journalists completed a 2–day training session about the rules of the games (Basketball, Cycling and Volleyball).

The Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee in partnership with the Basketball, Cycling and Volleyball Federations hosted a training session for Rwandan Sports Journalists about the Rules of the Games.

The 2-day workshop which focused on Basketball, Cycling and Volleyball Rules was sponsored by the Olympic Solidarity and took place from the 28th to the 29th of October 2020 at Olympic Hotel – Kigali.

Group photo of some of participants after closing ceremony

The sessions were organized as follows:

Day 01 of 28 October:

  • Session 01: Cycling Rules by the Cycling Federation National Technical Director Mr. Murenzi Emmanuel and the Commissaire Mr. Ntiyamira Jean Sauveur.
  • Session 02: 2020 Official Basketball Rules by the person in charge of development at the @FERWABA and National Coach Mr. MUTOKAMBALI Moise and the Vice President of National Basketball Referee Association Mr. Gilbert BIRORI.
The National Technical Director of Rwanda Cycling Federation Mr. Emmanuel Murenzi presenting the Cycling Rules to the participants.

Day 02 of 29 October:

  • Session 01: Beach Volleyball Rules by the International Beach Volleyball Referee Mr. NTANTETERI Védaste.

  • Session 02: Volleyball Rules by the International Volleyball Referee Mr. NDAYISABA Alphonse.
The International Volleyball Referee Mr. NDAYISABA Alphonse.

On behalf of the RNOSC Media and Communication Commission Peter Kamasa who is also a sports journalist at the The New Times thanked the RNOSC for the continued support towards a professional career as this is the second training in 2020.

“I would like to thank the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee for the continued support as this is the 2nd training in this year and I believe that these opportunities will improve our career standard. I also encourage my fellow sports journalists to put in action what we are learning.”  – The RNOSC Media and Communication Commission member Peter Kamasa.

The RNOSC Media and Communication Commission member and the New Times Journalist Mr. Peter Kamasa.

The RNOSC Secretary General Alexis SHARANGABO OLY who was the guest of honor at the opening ceremony, he said in his remarks:

 “Allow me to praise the Olympic Solidarity for always backing us in our activities and the RNOSC will continue providing the capacity building courses to our stakeholders as possible as we can.”

“Our solid partnership will surely accelerate the development of both sides (Rwanda Sport Movement and Media Sector).” Alexis added.

The RNOSC Secretary General Alexis SHARANGABO OLY speaking at the opening ceremony.

Speaking on behalf of participants, the founder of Half Time media house Saddam Mihigo:

“We need workshops like these at least once or twice a year to be updated about the Rules of the Games as they are changing with time and the skills gained during these intensive sessions will enable us to be a reliable source of Rwandan sports news.”

Saddam MIHIGO, the Founder and Sports Journalist of Half Time.

One of the trainers, the International Volleyball Referee Mr. Alphonse NDAYISABA has said that to put in action what they learnt that’s what will make Rwandan sport popular and developed.

The RNOSC President Amb. Valens MUNYABAGISHA in his closing remarks: “I would like to say thank you to  everyone who attended this training session and I am delighted to inform you that the RNOSC has so far trained 70% of women who work in Rwandan media sector. Sports Journalists have the power to build or destroy our sports industry, this is why to learn the Rules of the Games is very important for them.”

The RNOSC President Amb. Valens Munyabagisha giving his closing remarks.

 25 Rwandan Sports Journalists who dedicated their time for these 2 days have been given certificates of completion.

Some photos of the ceremony:

Kamukama Annet, Sports Journalist at Radio/TV10.
Ukurikiyimfura Eric Tony, Sports Journalist at www.igihe.com
Bugingo Fidèle, Sports Journalist at Imvaho Nshya.
Iradukunda Yvonne, Sports Journalist at B&B FM-Umwezi.

List of participants: Ndayisaba Léonidas (Flash FM), SIKUBWABO Damas (The Newtimes), Bugingo Fidèle (Imvaho Nshya), Iraguha Edmond (Salus Radio), Ukurikiyimfura Eric Tony (IGIHE), Hitimana Jean Claude (Royal FM), Nsengiyumva Abubakar Sadiki (B&B FM-Umwezi), Iradukunda Yvonne (B&B FM-Umwezi), Uwihanganye Hardi (Funclub), Uwase Antoinette Bora (Funclub), Kanyamahanga Jean Claude (City Radio), Kwizera Jean Claude (RBA), Nyaminani Isabelle (RBA), Mihigo Saddam (Halftime), Ndabateze Jean Bosco (Umucyo Radio), Kuradusenge Isaac (Kigali Today), Mukeshimana Assoumpta (Radio/TV1), Keppra Levetiracetam, Bahizi Craish (The New Times), Tumukunde Joselyne (Authentic Radio/TV), Nkomeje Guillaume (Kigalilive), Kamukama Annet (Radio/TV10), Sifakwamungu Anicet (Izuba Radio/TV), Uwingabiye Aimable (Life Radio) and Niyonsenga Aimé Augustin (Huguka Radio).

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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.

/ By RUGIGANA Jean Claude / News • VOLLEBALL/ 0 Comments

Olympic Channel and FIVB Announce Cooperation Agreement.

Madrid, Spain and Lausanne, Switzerland, December 11, 2018 – The Olympic Channel and the FIVB today announced an agreement to collaborate on content for the Olympic Channel global digital platform. 

The Olympic Channel is an over-the-top (OTT) global media destination where fans can experience the power of sport and the excitement of the Olympic Games all year round. Offering original programming, news, live sports events and highlights, the Olympic Channel provides additional exposure for sports and athletes 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in 11 languages, and is available worldwide at olympicchannel.com and its mobile apps.

With more than 2880 bios of both volleyball and beach volleyball athletes and more than 230 pieces of video content, fans can get comprehensive coverage of the sport on the Olympic Channel.

Volleyball and beach volleyball have had a presence on the Olympic Channel since its launch in August 2016 with dedicated sports pages where fans can relive the Olympic Games Rio 2016 for both disciplines and the recent beach volleyball events at the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018.

The Olympic Channel also features volleyball content through news stories and original programming such as the story of Brazilian beach volleyball hero Jackie Silva in Legends Live On; five-time Olympian Danielle Scott-Arruda from the United States as she coaches a struggling volleyball team in the reality-based The Z Team; and volleyball “patriot” Matt Garthoff in Groupies about the world’s most passionate sports fans.

“We look forward to working with FIVB to help expand the reach of their sport and athletes to a broader audience,” said Mark Parkman, general manager of the Olympic Channel. “As we look ahead to Tokyo 2020, both dedicated followers and new viewers are sure to be inspired by the stories of these athletes who bring such excitement and passion to the Summer Games programme.”

“We are excited to work with the Olympic Channel to keep promoting the sport of volleyball and beach volleyball ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games,” said FIVB Secretary General Fernando Lima. “We would like to ensure more content is available for our passionate fanbase around the world through various platforms. From the success of our own Volleyball TV, we have seen the huge appetite for high quality video content. Our collaboration with the Olympic Channel will ensure further coverage of our events and athletes and provide existing and new fans with greater access to our sport.”  

FIVB becomes the 76th federation partner who has signed similar agreements with the Olympic Channel including International Olympic Sports Federations (IFs), recognised federations and organisations, multi-sport organisers and non-recognised federations.

In addition to collaborating on live events, the Olympic Channel actively works with its federation partners to present event coverage, highlights, magazine shows, news coverage and original programming providing an additional platform to distribute content that are complementary to current broadcast and distribution arrangements.

/ By RUGIGANA Jean Claude / News • VOLLEBALL/ 0 Comments

Beach volleyball team off to Algeria for African Youth Games.

The national U18 beach volleyball teams, boys and girls, departed for Algeria on Sunday afternoon, at 4pm aboard Qatar Airways, ahead of the 2018 African Youth Games.

IMG_2875
Beach Volleyball Team posing with Coach Christophe before departing.

The 3rd African Youth Games competition is due July18-28 in the Algerian capital – Algiers.

Rwanda’s beach volleyball duo in the male category is composed of Cedrick Kageruka while their female counterparts are; Valentine Munezero and Penelope Musabyimana. The two teams are under the watchful eye of Christophe Mudahinyuka.

According to coach Mudahinyuka, the target is Algeria is ‘at least’ to reach in the finals and qualify for this year’s Youth Olympic Games slated October 6-18 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

“Right now we don’t know who we will meet first, since the draws will be held on Wednesday (July 18). What we know is we should be ready and confident to face anyone. Our mission is to win medals and qualify for Youth Olympics,” Mudahinyuka told Times Sport yesterday in an exclusive interview shortly before the team’s take-off at Kigali International Airport.

In girls’ category, the Rwandan ladies are not dark horses on international stage. Last year, Musabyimana and Munezero made history by finishing in third place at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Nassau, Bahamas.

A total of 13 athletes across three different disciplines will carry the country’s quest for African Youth Games medals.

Besides beach volleyball, Rwanda will also be represented in karate and athletics – both delegations will be heading to Algeria on July 20.

At the 2014 edition, Rwanda won gold in girls’ category through Selphine Mukantambara and Lea Uwimbabazi after beating Namibia in the final while the country finished in fifth position to secure the final ticket to the 2014 Youth Olympic Games in China.

[Article: The New Times]

/ By RUGIGANA Jean Claude / News • VOLLEBALL/ 0 Comments

Gisagara crowned Volleyball GMT winners.

gisagara-volleyball-club-receives-the-trophy-from-the-senate-president-honourable-bernard-makuza-last-night-at-petit-stadium
Gisagara Volleyball Club celebrating the victory.

Sunday

Gisagara 3-0 REG

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.

[source: The New Times]

/ By RUGIGANA Jean Claude / News • Rwanda CGA • VOLLEBALL/ 0 Comments

Beach Volleyball: Rwanda Team out of Commonwealth Games.

Rwanda
Rwandan Athletes wearing headbands as a mark of respect to more than one million innocent lives killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis.

Rwanda 0-2 Australia

The national women’s beach volleyball team was yesterday eliminated from the ongoing Commonwealth Games after losing to Australia 2-0 in the quarterfinals. Denise Mutatsimpundu and Charlotte Nzayisenga, who were Rwanda’s representatives in the beach volleyball competition, were no match for the hosts who were dominant in both sets (21-9, 21-8).

Rwanda qualified for quarterfinals as second runners-up after coming back from two defeats to New Zealand and Vanuatu to beat Singapore.

Team coach Christophe Mudahinyuka said in an interview that although they failed to achieve their semifinal target, the players gained overview from playing against elite opposition.

“Playing against the best teams in the world, some of whom have professional players, has helped the team a lot and I am sure it will help us in the future,“ Mudahinyuka said. 

Rwanda is one of only two nations – Mozambique being the other – to be admitted to the Commonwealth group of nations that were not colonised by Britain. That process was completed in 2009, before the country made its Commonwealth Games debut in Delhi, India in 2010, but this was the first appearance of  Nzayisenga and Mutatsimpundu in the Games.  

The 21st edition of the international multi-sport event kicked off on April 4 and will run through April 15 in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

Meanwhile, Rwanda’s Paralympic Powerlifter Vedaste Niyonzima is out of the Games as well after finishing in ninth place out of 11 players that took part in the competition.

[Based on The New Times’ Article]