The Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) has a new leader at the helm of its Athletes’ Commission. Volleyball player and national team captain Munezero Valentine — a bronze medallist at the Bahamas 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games — was elected President for the 2026–2028 term during the RNOSC National Athletes’ Forum 2026, held on 15–16 October, at Sainte Famille Hotel, in Kigali.
Munezero Valentine Delivers Her Acceptance Speech
She succeeds former basketball player Mugabe Aristide, who led the Commission during the previous term.
Valentine will be joined on the Commission by four newly elected members: Kaiga Kevin, Umuhoza Uwase Lidwine, OLY, Semana Jean, and Ndikubwimana Didier.
Newly Elected RNOSC Athletes’ Commission Members
The elected RNOSC Athletes’ Commission will serve a 2026–2028 term aligning with that of the RNOSC Executive Committee.
During her acceptance speech, Valentine expressed gratitude to her fellow athletes for the trust they demonstrated to her during the elections:
“This is a great honour and responsibility for me and my committee. We have big boots to fill. Our duty is to assess athletes’ needs and challenges and work together to address them, in collaboration with the leadership of the RNOSC, the Ministry of Sports and our respective National Federations. We must amplify our voices and ensure that athletes are prioritised in decision-making across the sports industry,” she said.
The election marks a significant step in the RNOSC’s ongoing effort to strengthen athlete representation at every level of the Olympic Movement in Rwanda — a commitment that mirrors the International Olympic Committee’s long-standing call for athletes to be meaningfully represented within National Olympic Committees, International Federations, and the broader sports ecosystem.
Outgoing President Mugabe Aristide reflected on the work accomplished during his tenure while encouraging the newly elected Commission to build on the progress made.
“Over the past few years, we have had quite a number of activities to handle, but they are far from enough compared to what needs to be done. Keep supporting the athletes, and we will be here to support you in anything you need,” he said.
Outgoing Athletes’ Commission President, Mugabe Aristide
During the Forum’s closing ceremony, the representative of the Ministry of Sports, Mr. MUNYANZIZA Gervais, encouraged athletes to strengthen their collective voice and take an active role in shaping the future of sport.
“As athletes, you are the main actors in the sports industry. Whatever we do as a sports ecosystem must first serve you. Therefore, amplifying your voices and advancing athlete advocacy are very important. I wish you all the best in this new term,” he said.
Munyanziza Gervais, MINISPORTS Representative at the National Athletes’ Forum
RNOSC President Alice UMULINGA reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting athletes and addressing the challenges they face throughout their sporting careers.
“I believe this Forum has been very important for you. I trust that the new committee will focus on addressing the challenges you face throughout your careers. Know that we are here to support you on your sporting journey,” she said.
She also thanked the National Federations for facilitating athletes’ participation in the Forum and called on those that have not yet established Athletes’ Commissions to do so, emphasising the importance of ensuring that athletes are represented at all levels of sport.
RNOSC President, UMULINGA Alice Delivers Her Remarks
The Forum concluded with the presentation of certificates to participating athletes in recognition of their engagement in the two-day event.
Throughout the Forum, athletes participated in sessions covering the Olympic Movement Structure, delivered by the Executive Director of RNOSC, Mr. Rugigana Jean Claude, Olympic values delivered by the president of the National Olympic Academy, Mr. Kayiranga Albert, high performance and career transition, delivered by Mr. Mutokambari Moise, President of the RNOSC High Performance Commission, athlete wellbeing and anti-doping, covered by Dr. Nuhu Assuman, President of the RNOSC Health, Medicine & Science Commission, financial literacy, covered by Mr. Ruziga Masantura Emmanuel, Head of Marketing and Sales at the Rwanda National Investment Trust (RNIT), and artificial intelligence in sport. These discussions provided an opportunity to strengthen athletes’ knowledge, explore emerging issues in sport, and promote their active participation in decision-making within the Olympic Movement.
The RNOSC Athletes’ Commission plays a vital role in strengthening athlete representation, promoting advocacy, and ensuring athletes’ active participation in the development of sport in Rwanda.
The RNOSC Athletes’ Forum 2026 and the election that concluded it are part of a wider effort across the Olympic Movement to strengthen athlete advocacy and ensure that the athlete voice is embedded in decision-making structures — not as an afterthought, but as a foundational principle.
