Here is the list of the approved candidates for the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee elections which will take place on the 08th of May 2021: https://olympicrwanda.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Lisite-yabemerewe-gutorwa-muri-CNOSR_2021.pdf.
Today, 17th April 2021, the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) held its Extraordinary General Assembly following the resignation of Amb. Valens Munyabagisha from his position as the RNOSC President on April 05th, 2021.
One of the group photos after concluding the RNOSC Extraordinary General Assembly, April 17th, 2021.
As a result, the General Assembly unanimously took a resolution to reverse its previous decision on the date of elections and resolved to hold the new Executive Committee elections on May 8th, 2021.
You can find the press release of the event here .
On the 5th of April 2021, Amb. Valens Munyabagisha has resigned from his position as the President of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee/Rwanda Commonwealth Games Association through an official letter and the RNOSC Executive Committee has received and accepted his resignation.
The IOC Member Mrs. Rwemarika Felicite who was the First Vice-President, is acting as the President while the RNOSC Extraordinary General Assembly will take place on the 17th of April 2021 to decide what to do next.
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During the meeting, the IOC and the IPC were informed that, as outlined in the full statement by Tokyo 2020, the conclusion of the Japanese parties is not to allow entry into Japan for overseas spectators for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 due to the prevailing worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. Olympic and Paralympic Games tickets purchased by overseas residents from the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee will be refunded.
“We share the disappointment of all enthusiastic Olympic fans from around the world, and of course the families and friends of the athletes, who were planning to come to the Games,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “For this I am truly sorry. We know that this is a great sacrifice for everybody. We have said from the very beginning of this pandemic that it will require sacrifices.
“But we have also said that the first principle is safety. Every decision has to respect the principle of safety first. I know that our Japanese partners and friends did not reach this conclusion lightly. Together with them, the IOC’s top priority was, is and remains to organise safe Olympic and Paralympic Games for everyone: all the participants and, of course, our gracious hosts, the Japanese people. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder at the side of our Japanese partners and friends, without any kind of reservation, to make the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 a great success.
“Together with our Rights-Holding Broadcasters, we will make every effort so that the fans from around the world will be able to experience the Olympic spirit. In this way, the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 will be the light at the end of the tunnel and a safe manifestation of peace, solidarity and the resilience of humankind in overcoming the pandemic.”
“Article of the IOC”
From 10 to 12 March, the IOC held its second remote Session in Olympic history. IOC President Thomas Bach chaired the meeting from Olympic House in Lausanne. As at every Session, the proceedings were streamed live on YouTube.
Originally, the 137th IOC Session was planned to take place in Athens. On the opening day of the Session, IOC President Thomas Bach thanked all the Greek organisers, in particular the Hellenic Olympic Committee and its President, Spyros Capralos, for their understanding and the great preparatory work that had already gone into organising the Session. The IOC President then handed over to Mr Capralos, who opened the remote IOC Session symbolically from the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens.
In his opening speech, President Bach emphasised the optimism created by the successful organisation of over 270 major sports events with measures in place to safeguard the health of all involved. He also spoke of the widespread support the Olympic and Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 have received from the United Nations and the G20 and G7 Leaders. Reflecting on this, he said: “Encouraged by this support, the IOC is working at full speed together with our Japanese partners and friends to make the postponed Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 a safe manifestation of peace, solidarity and the resilience of humankind in overcoming the pandemic.” On the exceptional nature of this Olympic year – preparing for two editions of the Olympic Games in parallel – President Bach highlighted the excellent state of preparations for the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022. He concluded his speech by saying that the world continues to evolve at an ever-increasing pace, which creates new challenges to turn into opportunities. “For this reason, we will discuss during this Session Olympic Agenda 2020+5, our vision for this new world. Full news release here.
The first topic on the Session agenda was Olympic Agenda 2020. The Session praised the achievements of the strategic roadmap for the IOC and the Olympic Movement. In the six years since it was adopted, Olympic Agenda 2020 has had a profound impact on the Olympic Movement and resulted in important transformations. It has strengthened the IOC and the Olympic Movement by introducing changes intended to make the Olympic Games fit for the future. It has also safeguarded the Olympic values and reinforced the role of sport in society. Commenting after the unanimous approval of the Closing Report on Olympic Agenda 2020 by IOC Members, Thomas Bach said: “Today, we look back at what we have achieved together. Over the course of the past years, all Olympic Movement stakeholders have contributed to make Olympic Agenda 2020 come to life.” He added: “With Olympic Agenda 2020 we turned the challenges into opportunities. With Olympic Agenda 2020, we have changed the Olympic Movement.” Full speech of IOC President here. Read here the full news release.
On the first day of the Session, Thomas Bach has been re-elected for an additional four-year term as IOC President. He received 93 yes and 1 no votes from the 94 valid votes. “Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart for this overwhelming vote of confidence and trust. For me, this is even more overwhelming considering the many reforms and the many difficult decisions we had to take, which affected all of us,” said President Bach after the election. “You know that this touches me deeply. It also makes me humble. When you elected me for the first time as your President in 2013 in Buenos Aires, I said that I wanted to lead the IOC according to my campaign motto ‘Unity in diversity’ and be a President for all of you and for all our stakeholders. This commitment is also true for my second and last term. My door, my ears and my heart remain open for each and every one of you. I hope that I can count on your continued dedication, support and friendship also during these four more years.” Full acceptance speech here and full news release here.
The Organising Committees of the upcoming Olympic Games shared anxiety progress reports on their preparations with the 137th IOC Session. Updates were also given by the Chairs of the Coordination Commissions.
Tokyo 2020 President Hashimoto Seiko and CEO Muto Toshiro updated the Session on its final preparations, promising to deliver “safety first” Olympic and Paralympic Games that will excite and inspire the world. Full details here.
Zhang Jiandong, Executive Vice-President of Beijing 2022 updated the IOC Session on the progress being made. He mentioned in particular the organisation of international test events and highlighted Beijing 2022’s focus on safety with the development of COVID-19 countermeasure planning. More details here.
Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet and CEO Etienne Thobois provided an overview of their Organising Committee’s recent successes such as the Paris 2024 Club, Terre de Jeux 2024 programme as well as the recent Olympic and Paralympic week. More details here.
Following a report from the Future Host Commission for the Games of the Oympiad, the IOC Members heard the three levels of government in Australia testifying to the benefits of the new approach and confirming their support for the Brisbane 2032 project. The decision to enter into a targeted dialogue for the Olympic Games 2032 was endorsed by the IOC Members and the Future Host Commission will start more detailed discussions with Brisbane 2032 and the AOC. Full details here.
The Session also received an update about the progress on vaccinations and has further outlined its plans to work with the NOCs to enhance athletes’ safety as they train and compete over the coming months. Addressing the Session, President Bach informed that the IOC has received an offer from the Chinese Olympic Committee to assist in making vaccines available to NOCs in whose territories the Chinese vaccine has been approved by the relevant national health authority. Although the details are still being worked out, President Bach confirmed that the IOC is ready to pay for these additional doses of vaccines for not only the Olympic but also the Paralympic teams, as well as for two further doses, which can be made available to the population in the respective countries according to their needs. More details here.
After a lively debate, the IOC Session unanimously approved Olympic Agenda 2020+5 as the new strategic roadmap of the IOC and the Olympic Movement through to 2025. Consisting of 15 recommendations, the new roadmap builds on the achievements of Olympic Agenda 2020, and will guide the work of the IOC and the Olympic Movement for the next five years. The 15 recommendations that make up Olympic Agenda 2020+5 have been developed though an inclusive and collaborative process. They are based on key trends that have been identified through robust research as likely to be decisive in the post-coronavirus world. They are also areas where sport and the values of Olympism can play a key role in turning challenges into opportunities. The five trends are: solidarity, digitalisation, sustainability, credibility, economic and financial resilience. Full speech by IOC President here. More details here.
The IOC Session received updates on anti-doping activities from both the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Testing Agency (ITA). The two organisations are working hand in hand to protect clean sport and the integrity of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, including a robust and comprehensive pre-Games anti-doping programme. Full details here.
The IOC Members approved the EB proposal to select Athens as the host city of the IOC Session in 2025. Full info here.
You can watch the IOC Session again here.
“Article of the IOC”
The RNOSC Quarterly Newsletter of three months, from October to December has been released and you can find it click here: RNOSC Newsletter – October to December 2020
Happy reading and Happy New Year 2021!
The Rwanda Commonwealth Games Association in collaboration with the Commonwealth Sports Foundation is offering 12 months placement opportunity starting from February 2021.
The placement will appeal to the candidates who have studied Physical Education and Sports, Business Information Technology, Information Technology, Business Administration and representing a high interest in sport.
This internship is part of the eqUIP program which is an initiative of the Commonwealth Sport foundation (CSF) that runs in partnership with various bronchial asthma in children in the 6 continental regions of the Commonwealth.
Please send your resume and cover letter by 11 January 2021 before 12:00 PM to [email protected] with copy to [email protected] (mandatory).
Click here for more details.
The Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee through the Athletes Commission has hosted its first ever athletes forum which took place at Olympic Hotel from the 19th to the 21st of November 2020.
About 90 participants from 25 National Sports Federations, 4 Olympic scholarship holders, 4 athletes benefiting team support grant program, 6 athletes benefiting ANOCA special grant, 16 Olympians and 25 representatives of the National Sports Federations, had an opportunity to learn about the Olympic Values Education, entrepreneurship skills, Anti-doping and fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
The forum was proposed following the approval of the RNOSC Athletes Commission by the RNOSC General Assembly held on the 11th of November 2020 and its board is composed of 5 members namely: NTAGENGWA Olivier (President) from Rwanda Volleyball Federation, MUKOBWANKAWE Liliane (Vice President) from National Paralympic Committee, UWAYO Clarisse (Member) from Taekwondo Federation, ARERUYA Joseph (Member) from Rwanda Cycling Federation, SHYAKA Olivier (Member) from Rwanda Basketball Federation.
“First of all, we are so happy for this platform (Athletes Commission) and we have learned about different important things during these 3 days including the Olympic values and Athlete365 Career+ to name few, and we are hoping more in the future as everyone is committed to the development of our athletes.” – The RNOSC Athletes Commission President Mr. Olivier Ntagengwa.
In his closing remarks, the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee President Amb. Valens Munyabagisha urged the athletes to go forward and be proactive:
“The athletes must be at the heart of the sports movement but they also have to play their part in preparation and implementation of their projects, they have to help us to know what is good for them and for their career and this is the main goal of this commission.”
At the opening ceremony of this forum, the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee took the advantage to represent the awards to all Olympians and athletes who have been awarded in recognition of their outstanding efforts towards the Rwanda Sports Movement development. This RNOSC Award Ceremony took place on sidelines of the RNOSC General Assembly 2020.
At the same time the qualified athletes for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games namely Félicien Muhitira and John Hakizimana, and the duos of Olivier Ntagengwa/Akumuntu Kavalo Patrick and Gatsinzi Vénuste/Fils Habintwali, also received their special support grant for the preparations and qualifying tournaments ahead of Tokyo 2020.
From the 19th to the 21st of November 2020, the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee through its Athletes Commission is hosting the first athletes’ forum.
On this occasion, the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee in partnership with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Rwanda will also launch a 10-day awareness campaign to fight COVID-19 pandemic.
Click here for the official press release of the event.
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.
The sessions were organized as follows:
Day 01 of 28 October:
Day 02 of 29 October:
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 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.
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.”
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.”
25 Rwandan Sports Journalists who dedicated their time for these 2 days have been given certificates of completion.
Some photos of the ceremony:
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.
