Rider Nsengimana gives Rwanda a good start.

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Jean Bosco Nsengimana celebrates on the podium after winning the prologue on the opening day of this year’s Tour du Rwanda on Sunday. Sam Ngendahimana.

Monday

Stage 1: Kigali- Huye (120.3km)

Sunday

Prologue: Top five
Jean Bosco Nsengimana (Team Rwanda) 03’46’’06
Valens Ndayisenga (Tirol Cycling Team) 03’48”77’
De Bod Stefan (Dimension Data for Qhub) 03’52”87
Joseph Areruya (Dimension Data For Qhub) 03’54’’44 
Suleima Kangangi (Bike Aid) 03’55’’93

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RDB CEO Clare Akamanzi uplauds the  winner of prologue Jean Bosco Nsengimana as SKOL boss looks on  during the ongoing Tour du Rwanda 2017

Jean Bosco Nsengimana gave team Rwanda a good start after winning the Prologue on Sunday to boost his chances of claiming Tour du Rwanda for a second time after the 2015 triumph.

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Dimension Data rider Samuel Mugisha finishes the prologue in the 8th position (Samuel Mugisha)

The Team Rwanda rider won the 3.5km Prologue (Amahoro National Stadium-Kimironko-Amahoro National Stadium) in a new course record of 3 minutes, 46 seconds and 06 seconds.

The 24-year-old goes into stage one, Kigali-Huye on Monday, which covers a total distance of 120.3km, wearing the leader’s yellow jersey.

“It is good start for us (Team Rwanda), but we know that we need to do much better in the next seven days, today (Sunday) I did my best to wear the yellow jersey and tomorrow will be even better because I will be having the support of my teammates,” Nsengimana said after winning day one.

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Jean Bosco Nsengimana  celebrates his victory

Team Rwanda, is one of the three teams representing Rwanda-the others are Benediction Club de Rubavu and Amis Sportifs de Rwamagana.

Defending champion Valens Ndayisenga, riding for Austria-based UCI Tirol Cycling Team, finished in second place in 3 minutes, 48 seconds and 77 microseconds, bettering his 2014 record of 3 minutes and 55 seconds.

Dimension Data for Qhubeka rider, De Bod Stefan came in third position after clocking 3 minutes, 52 seconds and 87 microseconds, while his teammate Joseph Areruya came fourth in 3’54”44 and Kenyan Suleiman Kangangi of Team Bike Aid (Germany) completed the top five in 3’55’’93.

1510523330Rwandan-rider-Areruya-Joseph-who-rides-for-Dimension-Data--reaches-the-finish-line-in-the-4th-position-(Sam-Ngendahimana)

Rwandan rider Areruya Joseph who rides for Dimension Data  reaches the finish line in the 4th position (Sam Ngendahimana)

In total, the 2017 Tour du Rwanda will cover a distance of 819km, and for the second consecutive year, will reach in all the four provinces of the country and Kigali.

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Many cycling supporters attend the opening ceremonies of Tour du Rwanda 2017

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South African De Bod Stefan on the podium after finishing in third position

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South African De Bod Stefan reaches the finish line in the third position (Sam Ngendahimana)

1510523599Team-Rwanda-cyclist-Patrick-Byukusenge-crosses-the-line-to-finish-seventh-(Sam-Ngendahimana)

Team Rwanda cyclist Patrick Byukusenge crosses the line to finish seventh (Sam Ngendahimana)

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Tirol cycling team rider Valens Ndayisenga finished in second position

Rwanda qualify for CHAN 2018 finals.

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Rwanda Football team players lift up head coach Antoine Hey after 0-0 draw at Kigali stadium yesterday (Sam Ngendahimana)

Sunday

Rwanda 0-0 Ethiopia (Agg. 3-2)

Rwanda has qualified for the 2018 African Nations Championships (CHAN) finals tournament on the expense of Ethiopia after both teams played out a goalless draw in the second leg of their Play-off qualifier on Sunday at Kigali Stadium.

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Striker Abbedy  Biramahire controls the ball to go past Ethiopian defenders at Kigali stadium (Sam Ngendahimana)

Amavubi booked their last available ticket thanks to their 3-2 first leg victory last week in Addis Ababa. The draw for the tournament is scheduled for November 17 in Morocco, while the finals will run from January 12 to February 4.

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Amavubi fan celebrates the qualification to CHAN.

Ethiopia, who came into the match knowing that only a 2-0 victory would secure them qualification, dominated the proceedings for large spells but failed to beat goalkeeper Eric ‘Bakame’ Ndayishimiye.

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Eric Rutanga in action, tries to tackle Mulualem Mesfen.

Adugna Enock, Mohamed Messud and Samson Tilahun missed chances for the visitors while Justin Mico, Abeddy Biramahire and Eric Rutanga failed to use their chances in the first half, for Amavubi.

For the first time, APR FC didn’t have a single player in the Amavubi starting eleven while reigning Azam Rwanda Premier League champions Rayon Sports had seven players in the starting list.

In the second half, Antoine Hey brought on APR midfielder Muhadjir Hakizimana for Rayon Sports’ Djaber Manishimwe while Maxime Sekamana replaced the ineffective Police FC forward Abeddy Biramahire.

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National team head Coach Hey gives instructions to his players during the match.

In the first leg, Abubakher Sanni and Aschalew Girma netted for Ethiopia while Eric Rutanga, Hakizimana and Biramahire scored for Rwanda.

The away victory gave Rwanda qualification for the third time, to the finals of Africa’s second biggest international competition, which is reserved for players, who feature in their respective domestic leagues.

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Amavubi supporters in joint action will players celebrate the qualification to CHAN finals (Sam Ngendahimana)
1510552588fRwanda football  team coaching staff celebrate the match result

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Rwandan attacking midfielder Muhadjili Hakizimana vies for the ball with Abebaw Butako during the match

1510552996tYannick Mukunzi tries to go past Ethipian defender Henok Adugna during 0-0 draw at Kigali stadium (Sam Ngendahimana

“Source: The New Times”

Over 60 trained in sports administration.

photoWomen sports leaders, who attended the five-day training course in Sports Administration, pose with their certificates. Courtesy

The five-day course was conducted by Tharcisse Harerimana, an expert in the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) and Florent Habyarimana, who is in charge of talent detection at the Ministry of Sports and Culture.

The course had three categories; the first focused on Athletics Federation and the Rwanda School Sports Federation, who were trained in April, the second category included officials of different local sports federations, in July, while the third category that was trained last week, had women leaders in Sports.

RNOSC Secretary General, Dominique Bizimana said, “This training has come to resolve problems in Sports Administration and after this training we hope to get a good result because we now have the right people in the right positions.”

Isabelle Nizeyimana, one of the trainees confessed that, “Before attending this training, I didn’t understand Sports Management, but now I know and it’s my responsibility to contribute in that field.”

“In the past, women never used to get involved in the sports activities but now we are engaged in the sports and we are capable of taking up leadership positions,” she noted.

Meanwhile, Eugene Nzabanterura, an official from RNOSC pointed out that the training was a good opportunity for national sports federations to learn how to overcome the multifaceted challenges they face on day to day basis.

“Source: The New Times”

Kenyan siblings dominate Rwanda Tennis Open 2017.

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Kenyans Changawa Mzai and his sister Shufaa Changawa celebrate the victory after winning Rwanda Tennis Open on Saturday (All photos by Sam Ngendahimana)

Kenya’s Ismael Changawa Mzai and Shufaa Changawa dominated this year’s Rwanda Tennis Open, winning the Men and Women’s Singles titles on Saturday at Amahoro National Stadium courts.

The Mombasa natives defeated Ugandan Duncan Mugabe and Burundian Aisha Niyonkuru respectively in the final.

In the men’s title match, Changawa Nzai beat Mugabe in straight sets 6-2, 7-5 for a fourth consecutive victory against the 26-year-old Ugandan top seed. His elder sister Shufaa overcame Niyonkuru in three sets 2-6, 6-2, 7-5.

“It is an honour to be in Rwanda and compete with great players. I came here to win and I am thankful that I won the tournament and to make it even more satisfying is that my sister won the women’s title. Our parents are celebrating now,” Ismael Changawa said.

He noted that, “Our aim is to keep developing and become better players not only in our region but across Africa.”

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Kenyan Tennis player Changawa Mzai captured in action during the toughest game against Ugandan Duncan Mugabe at Amahoro Stadium on Saturday.

In the women’s category, Shufaa lost the first set 6-2 before recovering to win the second 6-2 and then the third.

“Last year, I lost in the final but today I wanted to show that I am capable of beating a very good player like Aisha. To come from a set down and win the title and my brother winning the men’s tournament is just amazing. I am now seriously focusing on my dream,” Shufaa said.

Shufaa Changawa, 23, and Ismael Changawa, 20, walked away with US$1000 each in cash prizes.

In the the Women’s Wheelchair Singles’ final, Rehema Saidi Selememani of Tanzania beat Kenyan Jane Ndenga 7-6(4), 1-6, 7-6(1),while the Men’s title was claimed by Novatus Emmanuel Temba (Tanzania) after he defeated Collins Omondi (Kenya) 7-5, 4-6 and 10-4.

The U18 Boys Singles title was won by 17-year old Bertin Karenzi, who defated 13-years old Joseph Cyiza 6-3, 6-0.

The 2017 Rwanda Open attracted 143 players from Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Belgium, Italy, Tanzania, Sweden, Nepal, DR Congo and the hosts Rwanda.

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Kenyans Changawa Mzai and his sister Shufaa Changawa hold  the trophies after winning Rwanda Tennis Open on Saturday (Sam Ngendahimana)

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Ugandan player Duncan Mugabe lost the final against Kenyan Changawi Mzai on Saturday.
<Source: The New Times.>

Beach V-ball duo qualify for 2018 Commonwealth Games.

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Charlotte Ndayisenga and Denyse Mutatsimpundu pose on the podium with their gold medals and the Rwandan flag. (Courtesy)

Sunday

Final

Rwanda                2-0          Nigeria

Semi-finals

Rwanda                2-0          Seychelles

Nigeria                  2-0          Mauritius

Rwanda women’s beach volleyball team are the champions of Africa after beating Nigeria in the gold medal match at the African Championships that concluded on Sunday in Free Town, Serra Leone to qualify for 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Charlotte Ndayisenga and Denyse Mutatsimpundu, who won gold at the U20 level in 2012, went a step further by claiming the senior continental title after beating the 2015 All African Games gold medalists in straight sets 2-0.

Rwanda will be Africa’s sole representative at next April’s Commonwealth Games in Australia.

In the round robin system matches played on Friday, Rwanda beat hosts Sierra Leone 2-0 in opening game and went on to defeat Seychelles 2-0, Mauritius 2-0 before overcoming Nigeria 2-0 on Saturday.

 In the semi-finals, Rwanda beat Seychelles 2-0 while Nigeria conquered Seychelles 2-0—the two teams advances to the title match, which Rwanda won 2-0.

Mutatsimpundu and Nzayisenga won gold medal at the 2017 CAVB Beach Volleyball Cup in Maputo, Mozambique in May, which qualified them to the World Championships that was staged in Vienna, Austria in August where they unfortunately lost all their games.

In 2012, the duo, playing at the junior level, won gold at the Africa Championships in Togo but failed to participate in the World Championships in Canada after the hosts denied the Rwandan team entry visas.

Source: The New Times.

Construction of new district stadiums to commence next month.

Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) has announced that works to construct three new district stadiums in the Eastern province will start next month.

The move, which is in line with government’s seven year programme to promote sports, will see stadiums built in the districts of Nyagatare, Ngoma and Bugesera, with capacity to accomodate 3000 people each.

Eric Serubibi, the Director General of Rwanda Housing Authority, said that the works are expected to end within 11 months.

RHA, the partner in the project, will oversee the implementation of the construction activities.

Ahead of the project, the government has been courting investors.

According to RHA, the facilities will not only serve as football grounds but they will also include other facilities like athletics track and field, along with hosting other sporting disciplines.

Serubibi said there is a flexibility to adjust the design of the stadiums to increase their capacities in case such a need arises.

The district stadium projects are in addition to the long-awaited project to construct Gahanga Olympic Stadium with a capacity of 40,000 people.

According to the Director of Sports at the Ministry of Sports, Emmanuel Bugingo, the planed stadiums will enable the country to host continental and global competitions in various disciplines and boost the country’s target of being a sports tourism destination.

Fred Mufulukye, the Eastern Province Governor, believes that the facilities will open doors to business in the province.

“Once the activities to build the facilities start, citizens will get jobs. it will also lead to more infrastructure, something which will promote public events, concerts and cultural ceremonies.”

Source: The New Times.

Byukusenge, Mugisha dominate race for Tour du Rwanda preparations.

photoSamuel Mugisha cerebrates after winning race from Nyanza to Rubavu. Sam Ngendahimana.

Nyanza-Rubavu

Samuel Mugisha 4h 40’ 58’’
Didier Munyaneza 4h 40’ 58’’
Jean Bosco Nsengimana 4h 42’ 49’’
Patrick Byukusenge 4h 42’ 53’’
Gasore Hategeka

Rubavu-Musanze

Patrick Byukusenge 2h 38’1’’
Gasore Hategaka 2h 38’2’’
Samuel Hakiruwizeye 2h38’2’’
Ephrem Tuyishimire 2h 38’ 4’’
Eric Nduwayo 2h 38’ 4’’

Dimension Data Club rider Samuel Mugisha and Benediction Club rider Patrick Byukusenge dominated the two-day races organized as part of preparations for 2017 Tour du Rwanda. The races were held on Saturday and Sunday. 19-year-old Mugisha won the race from Nyanza District to Rubavu District after clocking 4h 40’ 58”’ in 180 km while Byukusenge won the Rubavu-Musanze leg after clocking 2h37’95.’’

Mugisha won the U23 title and elite race and he was followed by teammate Didier Munyaneza who clocked 4h40’58.

Other top riders like Jean Bosco Nsengimana (Benediction Club) came in fourth place using 4h 42’ 49, Gasore Hategeka (Nyabihu Cycling Club) came in fifth place while in sixth place was Bonaventure Uwizeyimana (Benediction Club). Valens Ndayisenga who rides for Tirol Cycling Club finished in 12th place.

On Sunday, the riders covered Rubavu in four laps before heading to Musanze where Byukusenge went on to lead the peloton from Rubavu to Musanze.

Meanwhile riders like two time Tour du Rwanda winner, Ndayisenge and one time winner Nsengimana were not impressive during the two days race.

After the races, Rwanda Cycling Federation and Team Rwanda will name fifteen players who will enter into the camp to prepare for Tour du Rwanda, which is slated to run from 12-19 November.

A total of 17 teams from different parts of the world are set to grace this year’s 2.2 UCI Africa road race tour that will cover seven stages.

After becoming part of UCI Africa tour 2009, Valens Ndayisenga made history by becoming the first Rwandan rider to win Tour du Rwanda in 2014. Jean Bosco Nsengimana won the 2015 edition and Ndayisenga repeated the 2014 feat in the 2016 edition, making him the first rider ever to claim it two times.

Source: The New Times.

Rwanda strikes gold at World Para-Taekwondo Championship.

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Jean de la Croix Nikwigize on the podium as he won the bronze medal at the World Para-Taekwondo Championship in London.
<The article: Courtesy>

Komite Olempike mu gikorwa cyo guhugura abantu batandukanye ku kubungabunga ibidukikije.

Nk’uko kubungabunga ibidukikije biri mu ntego za Komite Mpuzamahanga y’imikino Olempike “CIO” yahamagariye inzego zose za siporo by’umwihariko Komite Olempike ya buri gihugu kugena gahunda no gukora ubuvugizi bugamije kurwanya iyangirika ry’ibidukikije.

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Abarimu ndetse n’abatoza b’imikino itandukanye y’abana bitabiriye amahugurw ku kubungabunga ibidukikije (Foto Bugingo F)

Ni muri urwo rwego Komite Olempike y’u Rwanda “CNOSR” kuva tariki 10 Ukwakira kugeza tariki 02 Ugushyingo 2017 yateguye gahunda y’ubukangurambaga burimo kwibanda ku biganiro n’ibikorwa bigamije kumenya ibyangiza ibidukikije n’uko byakwirindwa, kwita ku mazi, ikoreshwa neza ry’umuriro w’amashanyarazi, isuku n’isukura. Ubu bukangurambaga bukaba bubera mu kigo “Olympafrica” kiri mu Karere ka Nyanza.

Tariki 17 Ukwakira 2017 hahuguwe ikiciro cya kabiri cy’abarimu bo mu mashuri abanza n’ayisumbuye ndetse n’abatoza batandukanye bo mu karere ka Nyanza.

Nsengimana Aimable usanzwe ari umuyobozi mu karere ka Nyanza ushinzwe amashyamba n’umutungo Kamere akaba ari we watanze amahugurwa yagaragaje ko siporo ihura n’ibidukije cyane kuko abitabira siporo igihe cyose baba bategerejweho umusaruro mwiza. Aha yatanze urugero ati “Niba ikirere kitameze neza biragoye kubwira uwiruka ngo yiruke hatari umwuka mwiza, nta watanga umusaruro adakorera ahantu heza”.

Yakomeje avuga ko ukora siporo agomba kubona amazi meza ko abantu bakora siporo bagomba kumenya uko ayo mazi ava n’uko abungabungwa. Avuga ko bahugura aba bantu mu ngeri zitandukanye kugira ngo bagire uruhare rwo kubungabunga ibidukije.

Umwe mu bahuguwe, Mbugira Ismael usanzwe ari umutoza w’ikipe y’ingimbi ya Rayon Sports ibarizwa i Nyanza yavuze ko yatangiye atabyumva neza ariko ko yasanze bikenewe. Ati “Abana twirirwana na bo hari icyo bakwiye gukora mu kubungabunga ibidukikije”. Yakomeje avuga ko hari ibintu byinshi bajyaga birengagiza nk’amazi n’ibindi ariko ko babigishije uburyo abungabungwa. Mbugira kandi avuga ko ibigo bitorezagaho usanga nta biti bihari kandi bizana umwuka mwiza bikaba byafasha abana kuruhuka ndetse no kukurikira neza ibyo bigishwa n’abatoza akaba yariyemeje ko agiye gusaba abantu bose bafite aho abana bitoreza kuhatera ibiti.

Mbere y’abarimu n’abatoza batandukanye, habanje guhugurwa abakuru b’imidugugu. Nsengimana yavuze ko aba ari bo bashyira mu bikorwa ibintu byose kandi bizeye ko bazaba umusemburo. Ikiciro cya nyuma giteganyijwe tariki 31 Ukwakira kugeza 02 Ugushyingo 2017 ahazaguhurwa abana.

Muri rusange iyi gahunda izarangira hahuguwe abantu 260 aho bagomba kujya gusangiza imiryango yabo aho batuye no mu bandi bahura na bo mu buzima bwa buri munsi, ubumenyi bungutse mu kubungabunga ibidukikije.

Source: Imvaho Nshya.

Rwanda National Olympic committee launches environmental protection drive.

1507930235Felicite-Rwemarika-with-the-local-leaders

Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee has launched a campaign aimed at helping local authorities acquire environmental education to deal with global warming, air pollution and many other ills that ruin the environment.

The campaign is an initiative of the International Olympic (IOC) through the Olympic Solidarity.

It started on October 10 but was officially launched on Thursday at Centre des Jeunes Olympafrica de Nyanza in Nyanza District, Southern Province, targeting over 260 people including 100 community leaders (50 men and 50 women) as well as sports administrators.

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Nyanza District Forestry and National Resources Officer, Aimable Nsengimana   giving lessons to the local leaders. Courtesy

The second group will include 40 primary school teachers and 20 sports instructors, while the third group will comprise 100 secondary school students, who will be trained starting on October 30 until November 2.

The campaign will be carried out through education workshop sessions specifically educating them on how to protect the environment, improving water management, electricity consumption, and waste management.

In total 260 individuals will be trained.

RNOSC says the initiative aims to bring the public closer to nature through sports and also to raise awareness that sports and sports facilities can adversely affect the environment.

According to Felicite Rwemarika, RNOSC’s first vice president, sportsmen and women should embrace environmental protection as it is always hard for them to do their sports activities effectively without better environment.

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L – R Gabrielle Bécard (Volunteer RNOSR & Sport and Environment project oordinator), Nkurunziza Enoch (Division Manager in Nyanza District), Rwemalika Felicité.

“We decided to focus on training local leaders first because they interact with residents on a daily basis, and the next it will be school teachers because they reach pupils they teach and then we will train the youth, who are the strength and future of the country,” Rwemarika said.

She noted that the campaign is aimed at sensitising the communities about environmental issues through workshops conducted by environment experts.

Rwemarika further revealed that the initiative will be rolled out in other parts of the country after assessing its success in the pilot district of Nyanza.

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Some of the local leaders read out material that was given to them to help in understanding the enviromental protection awareness campaign. Courtesy
Nyanza District environmentalist, Gustave Nzungize, welcomed the campaign in his area. The trained local authorities will be responsible for implementing new policies.

“Forests are reducing and the culture of people to plant trees has reduced, we are encouraging them to understand the role of environmental protection as it is the pillar of sustainable development,” he said.

Source: The New Times