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Rwanda’s Para Taekwondo player Jean Claude Niringiyimana was on Tuesday announced by International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as the Allianz Athlete of the Month for April.

This is the first time ever for a Rwandan athlete to reach that level in Para-Taekwondo. It follows the 24-year-old’s stunning performance at last month’s second edition of Africa-Para Taekwondo Open that was hosted in Kigali.

At his first ever international competition, Niringiyimana took silver medal in the Men’s under 61kg K44 – He overcame Lesotho’s Phoofolo Mokhethi in a tight 7-6 duel on his way to the final, only falling to Spain’s No. 3 ranked Aythami Santana. Niringiyimana entered May’s world ranking tied for 13^th.

The Bugesera-born player received 76 per cent of the public votes. Canadian Para Ice Hockey player Adam Dixon was second with 17 per cent. Swiss Wheelchair racer Manuela Schar, Australian Para Table Tennis player Melissa Tapper and US Para Ice Hockey player Declan Farmer, were also nominated.

“I am speechless and very excited, I want to thank my masters for helping me reach this level. I believe this is a big motivation not only for me but the whole team that we are capable of achieving a lot in this sport,” said Niringiyimana in an interview with Times Sport.

On top of this award, Niringiyimana has been given a wildcard by World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) to compete at this year’s third edition of Asian Para Taekwondo Open slated for July 1, in Chuncheon, South Korea.

He noted that, “I believe this will be a great opportunity for me to show case my skills, what I exhibited here in Kigali is just a small piece, and now I’ve got the chance to compete at one of the biggest stages.”

Competing for the first in the continent’s biggest competition of martial artists with physical disabilities and impairments, Rwanda put on a good fight claiming a total of six medals in different categories hence finishing as the best team overall.

<Source: The New Times>

The President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Mr. THOMAS BACH appointed Ms. RWEMALIKA FELICITE, the winner of IOC Women and Sports Award for Africa 2016 as new member of Sport and Active Society Commission.

In few weeks ago, Ms. RWEMALIKA FELICITE has been also elected as the First Second Vice President of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee.

The Sport and Active Society Commission (formerly the Sport for All Commission) advises the IOC Session, the IOC Executive Board and the IOC President on all the activities of the Olympic Movement that are related to using sport to improve physical activity in the population, giving access to sport as a right for all, and on engaging in sports activities with a special focus on youth.

Olympic Agenda 2020 reflects the fact that sport is more important in society than ever, and increasing activity and engagement in sport in society should be a key goal of governments and non-governmental agencies throughout the world.

The responsibilities of the Sport and Active Society Commission are to:

• Give input on relevant activities related to the implementation of Olympic Agenda 2020 specifically related to promoting an active life style in society, with a focus on youth;
• Engaging society in sport and work with various parties to build on the sport legacy of the Olympic Games and major events to get the wider community active;
• Facilitate synergies among various organisations, which work to increase the accessibility of sport as a right for all.

The changes to the function and composition of the commissions, which are effected by the IOC President working closely with the IOC Executive Board, also include increases in the number of members from America, Africa and Asia, thus guaranteeing a more global and diverse continental representation.

“These changes are aligned with the implementation of Olympic Agenda 2020 and show that a stronger participation of women and a more diversified continental representation are our top priorities,” said IOC President Bach.

“The diversity of members guarantees interesting and more inclusive discussions and reflects the Olympic Movement’s commitment to universality,” he added.

The review of the scope and composition of the IOC commissions was one of the 40 recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020, which was approved by the 127th IOC Session in December 2014 in Monaco. 

The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) has officially recognised the Rwanda Weightlifting Federation as its provisional member.

The decision to affiliate the Rwanda Weightlifting Federation was announced by International Weightlifting Federation earlier in its Executive Board meeting held on 02 April 2017 in Bangkok, Thailand. For the affiliation letter click here.

The Rwanda Weightlifting Federation became the provisional member of International Weightlifting Federation after being officially accepted by the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee as one of its new member in Annual General Assembly took place at Belvedere Hotel in Rubavu district on 11 February 2017.

Weightlifting is an athletic discipline in the modern Olympic programme in which the athlete attempts a maximum-weight single lift of a barbell loaded with weight plates.

On Friday, March 24, 2017, the third day of the Queen’s Baton Relay in Rwanda was finished with a Walk from Kigali Convention Center to Petit Stade, Remera.

It’s a walk led by The Permanent Secretary, Lt. Col. RUGAMBWA Patrice in Ministry of Sports and Culture on behalf of Rwanda as a Commonwealth Country included among the countries which the Queen’s Baton is travelling in and The President of Commonwealth Games Federation, Louise Martin CBE accompanied by the President of Rwanda Commonwealth Games Association, Amb. MUNYABAGISHA Valens.

 

The Queen’s Baton Relay walk aimed at inspiring the people of the Commonwealth to come together and showcase the Gold Coast 2018 Games to follow and promoting its values of unity and peace.

The Queen’s Baton is passed from hand to hand of over 400 participants composed of the representatives of National Federations, athletes, youth and other sports movements’ members until to the finish line.

Louise Martin, the president of Commonwealth Games Federation in her speech said “This Gold Coast 2018 Queen’s Baton is a symbol of our past, present and future, we have to work hard, we have to train hard whether you win a medal or you lose, the important thing is a friendship as results between athletes, nations after the competition.”

“When you touch the Queen’s Baton, a bright boundless energy light up the baton in colours that reflect the warmth and spirit of Gold Coast.”, She added.

She finished her speech with explaining that the Queen’s Baton is made of macadamia wood (native to the Gold Coast), Stainless steel stringer (3-digit alpha codes of all nations and territories), leading edge (mode with reclaimed plastic from the ocean), LED illumination (lights up with boundless energy), Queen’s message window (creates a visual connection), Spinifex paper (traditional techniques, modern material technology) and GPS on-board (track the baton in real time).

The Permanent Secretary, Lt. Col RUGAMBWA Patrice in his closing remarks said “The visit of the Queen’s Baton Relay has given Rwanda a great opportunity to know more about the Commonwealth and raise awareness on Commonwealth Games”.

“The Ministry of Sports and Culture in partnership with Rwanda Commonwealth Games Association and concerned sports federations will provide needed support to allow Rwandan athletes who will participate in XXI Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast for their preparation in order to get the best performance in different sports disciplines.” He added.

He closed his remarks by thanking the Queen’s Baton Relay team and all people who contributed to the success of the event.

Before the Queen’s Baton Relay delegation continues its journey to Uganda, today Saturday, on March 25, with the Minister of Sports and Culture, Hon. UWACU Julienne and Rwandan Sports Movement joined the local people of Mwurire in Rwamagana district in community work “Umuganda”.

    

 

 

The Queen’s Baton Relay Delegation accompanied by The President of Rwanda Commonwealth Games Association Amb. MUNYABAGISHA Valens visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial this  morning Thursday 24 March 2017  to pay respects to the victims of Genocide against the Tutsi and learn about the causes, reality and consequences of the Genocide.

After watching a short movie about Genocide Survivors,  they laid a wreath in honour of the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and followed by a tour of the memorial’s exhibition and grounds.

The delegation composed of The President of Commonwealth Games Federation, Louise Martin CBE, The President of Rwanda Commonwealth Games Association, Amb. MUNYABAGISHA Valens and the officials from the Gold Coast Organisation  Committee and Australian High Commission left the message of hope after the tour of the memorial’s exhibition and grounds .

The President of Commonwealth Games Federation, Louise Martin CBE signed in visitors’ book before closing  the visit.

More photos:

Yesterday evening, The Queen’s Baton Relay arrived in Rwanda accompanied by the President of Commonwealth Games Federation, Louise Martin CBE, the Gold Coast Organizing Committee and Australian High Commissioner to Rwanda, Mr John Feakes and received by The Minister of Sports and Culture Hon. Uwacu Julienne.

The distinctive Baton bears the Queen’s message is traveling through the entire Commonwealth including Rwanda before reaching the final do-dietary-supplements-work.com in the Opening Ceremony of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games on 4 April 2018 in Australia.

Now, the delegation with the Queen’s Baton are on their way to Rubavu to join the Ministry of Natural Resources and the International Union for Conservation of Nature together with the local people to celebrate the International Water Day.

Trees planting and Running cross competition of 5Km are the main activities of the day before coming back in Kigali for a walk from Kigali Convention Center to Petit Stade.