Special Olympics Rwanda proudly announces its participation in the upcoming Special Olympics World Summer.
From June 17 to June 25, 2023, Berlin, Germany, will host the first Special Olympics World Summer Games. Rwanda’s specialist sports athletes are prepared to display their extraordinary athletic prowess and tenacity on the world stage.
Rwanda will participate in various disciplines that will see 15 athletes proudly and resolutely representing their homeland.
“The Special Olympics World Summer Games provides a remarkable platform for our athletes with intellectual disability to demonstrate their exceptional talents and inspire others with their determination and sportsmanship,” said Pr. Deus SANGWA the Chairman of Special Olympics Rwanda.
7-a-side Women’s Football:Special Olympics Rwanda‘s Women’s Football team consists of 10 women who have shown exceptional athleticism and teamwork during training.
Bocce: Two accomplished Bocce players will demonstrate their accuracy, foresight, and excellent hand-eye coordination. They have a wealth of experience in this sport, so the competition will be thrilling.
Athletics: Three exceptional athletes have developed their abilities in a variety of track and field events, and their dedication and fortitude will definitely be evident at the World Games. They’ll all compete in a 100-meter race.
The competitors have spent the last two weeks putting in extensive training and preparation, devoting themselves to a thorough retreat to make sure they are in top shape for this illustrious competition.
“We are immensely proud of our delegation and believe they will make our nation proud as they compete against the best athletes from around the world,” the chairman added.
All in all, the Special Olympics Rwanda team will be represented by 26 delegates including 15 players, 6 coaches, 1 HOD, 1 Assistant HOD, 2 Additional Staff, and 1 Medical staff.
The group as a whole, including the competitors and their coaches, will leave on June 12 for Berlin and return on June 27, 2023.
Paulo De Tarso Milagres looks set for a third stint in charge of the Rwanda National Volleyball teams after reaching an agreement with the Ministry of Sports, the FRVB boss confirmed.
Paulo De Tarso Milagres, who previously managed the Rwanda national side from 2010 to 2011 and in 2021 during the African Championships, will assume the national team coaching responsibilities once more, with the 2023 African Cup of Nations among the first tasks.
In the interview to climax the 2023 Rwandan Men Serie B, FRVB President, Raphael Ngarambe commended the Ministry of Sports for providing the National Volleyball team a coach
“We made an offer and received several applications; we carefully selected the right person and sent him a notification letter. He will sign a contract this week and begin his duties on July 1st thanks to the Ministry of Sports”
“His duties will also involve instructing the youth coaches,” Said FRVB President.
The Brazilian’s previous term ended when the FIVB imposed a two-year suspension on Rwanda Volleyball, which was ultimately reduced to a six-month ban for fielding ineligible players.
The 2023 African Nations Championship for men will run between August 28 and September 10 and will be held in the Egypt capital Cairo. While the Women’s Championship is scheduled for September in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Rwanda’s senior national team’s last international involvement was in 2021, the men’s team finished sixth while the women’s team ended in ninth position. Both teams were under Milagres stewardship.
Rwanda Serie B men’s National League Champions, GS St Joseph Kabgayi
A truly memorable and highly successful season for GS St Joseph Kabgayi as they were crowned Rwanda Serie B men’s National League Champions to complete a treble in 2023.
A four-month-long Serie B season ended in a thrilling fashion when GS St Joseph Kabgayi hosted a two-day playoff event to determine the Champions of Rwanda’s second-tier league in both men’s and women’s categories.
In the eight-team men’s playoff tournament, only GS St. Joseph Kabgayi finished all six games without dropping a single game.
On Sunday, they defeated Petit Seminaire Virgo Fidelis with ease in three straight sets (28-26, 25-23, and 25-16), then overcame Collège du Christ-Roi Nyanza in a five-set thriller (15-25, 25-20, 13-25, 25-23, and 13-15) before facing Nyanza TSS in a championship-deciding game.
GS St Joseph tipped off the game with a win in the first set, edging Nyanza TSS by five points (25-20)
The former ETO Gitarama, now Nyanza TSS came out stronger in the second set, but Kabgayi lads, with a strong fan base, stayed on top with the six-point win (25-19)
In the third and final set, GS St Joseph found themselves trailing Nyanza TSS in first points but eventually pulled away for a solid win (25-19).
Frère Innocent Akimana and his fellow Josephite brothers had a tremendous season as Groupe Scolaire St Joseph Kabgayi won a triple of domestic cups, including this highly prestigious Serie B, which was contested not only by schools but also by universities and community-based clubs.
Frère Innocent Akimana, GS St Joseph Head Teacher and Florent Habyarimana a delegate from Ministry of Sports, handing over a trophy to D’amour Munyamahoro, the captain and arguably the best player of the season
This season, Groupe Scolaire Saint Joseph Kabgayi won the 2023 Memorial Kayumba after defeating Nyanza TSS 3-2 in the final game.
They also took home the Amashuri Kagame Cup, defeating longtime rivals Collège du Christ-Roi Nyanza.
In the women’s category, GS St Aloys Rwamagana, the Amashuri Kagame Cup winners, also clinched a Serie B title. ESB Kamonyi, Institut Sainte Joseph de Nyamasheke, and Groupe Scolaire St Joseph finished second, third, and fourth respectively
St. Aloys captain receives the trophy from Raphael Ngarambe
In his remarks at the awarding ceremony, the President of Rwanda Volleyball governing body lauded the quality of play in this league dominated by a large number of high schools, then tasked the high institutions of learning to preserve the talents raised by high schools
Raphael Ngarambe, FRVB President
“The players perform well in high school, but there is no follow-up at the University of Rwanda. Higher education institutions need to safeguard those talents and figure out how to keep them all together.” Said Raphael Ngarambe
He continued “The University of Rwanda’s colleges splitting up has an impact on the volleyball potential. We want our high school graduates to have a better atmosphere that permits continuity as they formerly did. We’ll keep interacting with the universities and colleges, and a recent meeting of the Minister with UR principals was in that vein.”
For the first time after being put on hold in 2020 owing to the covid-19 outbreak, the 2023 Rwanda National Volleyball League Serie B tipped off in February after a three-year hiatus. In this season, the 14 men’s teams had been split into two groups and the top four from each group advanced to playoffs
Following a two-day contest, the rankings are as follows:
GS St Joseph Kabgayi
Nyanza TSS
Petit Seminaire Virgo Fidelis
Collège du Christ-Roi Nyanza
UR Nyarugenge
UR CAVM
Groupe Scolaire Officiel de Butare
Gisagara Academy
The GS St Joseph silverware hunt continues, with the Rutsindura Memorial and FEASSSA competitions still to come. Rutsindura is slated for next weekend in Huye, while FEASSSA will be held in the same district in August.
REG’s Mireille Nyota Muganza impacts the game on both ends while Joyeuse Sifa Ineza has an impressive debut leading her new squad to a 59-52 win over the rivals APR Women BBC.
In the Basketball clash contested at Kimironko Sports and community space, Muganza, a well-known active rebounder on both ends of the court, dominated the paint. In addition to scoring 14 points and grabbing 8 offensive rebounds for a total of 14, the Congolese international used her size as a weapon to exploit APR’s defense and put an end to APR’s winning streak
REG struggled offensively for the most part of the first half as they went into the break trailing by 10 points. (20-14, and 14-10).
APR was unable to capitalize on its early hype and fell in the third period. The electricians gradually made their way back into the game, finishing the quarter with a score of 15-14 and hoping to get back into it.
REG Women BBC overcame a 9-point deficit in the third quarter to take a 7-point lead and defeat their fierce rivals, who defeated them in the first leg. Full-time REG 59-52 APR
The comeback was all the more impressive for Sifa Ineza. She took the Rwanda Basketball League stage for the first time this season and did not disappoint, making six of 14 shots for 16 points and providing six assists.
Sifa Ineza | Photo Credit: Innocent Shema
Following the loss, APR’s winning streak is snapped at 9. However, they maintain their pole position even if they share the same win ratio with REG.
APR and REG both stand at 9-1. But, since the army side prevailed in the first leg with a huge difference, they lead the table
Dieudonne Ndizeye Ndayisaba scored a game-high 20 points to help the Patriots defeat Espoir On Wednesday, May 31, 2023,
Espoir BBC suffered their first loss in the last ten games, falling to 14-4 on the season at the hands of the Patriots, 74-71.
The 74-71 setback against the Patriots on Wednesday night at Lycée de Kigali ended a good nine-game streak for the Espoir BBC, who haven’t lost a single game since February 12, 2023, against REG BBC, 76-70.
Last night, the Rafiki-based club did not fly around on defense as usual, failed to hit three-pointers as normal, and did not play with the excitement that has made them the league’s most entertaining team for the last fifteen weeks.
Espoir BBC, as usual, got out to a fast start, leading the opening quarter by six points, 24-18.
In the second period, The Patriots’ defense forced them numerous turnovers and bad shots leaving Espoir down by two points at the break, 39-41.
Henry Mwinuka’s squad maintained its lead in the third quarter, holding Espoir to 14 points. 24-14 to make 53-65.
Espoir came alive in the fourth quarter, starting aggressively and cutting the gap to six points in five minutes. With crowd support mostly from typical Kiyovu sports fans -a football team from the same neighborhood, Espoir pushed the deficit to three points (71-74) and they should have forced the game into extra time, however, a timeout called by Janvier Kamanzi in last 13 seconds didn’t help.
The normally sharpshooting Espoir struggled to find their range, shooting barely 40 percent from the floor, including 5 of 19 from behind the arc.
Olivier Turatsinze (16 points), Heritier Irumva (15), and Dondon Elisee (13) scored in double figures while Pierrere Steven contributed 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists.
On the side of the Patriots, Steven Hagumintwari finished with 18 points and did bring in 6 rebounds and 5 assists in 38 minutes spent on the floor. But the true offensive star of the night was Dieudonne Ndizeye, who posted 20 points.
Cadeaux Furaha added 17 points too.
The Patriots improved to 12-2 with the win over Espoir and they are legitimate title contenders despite only using a full Rwandan roster. However, things will not be the same in the playoffs as the big man Ater Majok was in the house supporting his new teammates.
Majok will be the first NBA draftee to play in the Rwanda Basketball League if he takes the court.
The 2022/2023 RPL Champions, APR FC | Photo: Igihe
APR FC wins the Rwanda Premier League for the fourth time in a row while Rutsiro FC have been relegated on the final day of the season.
The army team clinched the 2022/2023 title on Sunday after securing a 2-1 win over Gorilla FC. The league title came down to the wire and had to be determined on the final day since APR, Kiyovu, and Rayon Sports were all still in contention.
The win took APR FC to 63 points same as Kiyovu, who defeated Rutsiro 3-1. However, APR had a goal differential of 26 compared to Kiyovu’s 17.
In an away contest at Nyagatare Stadium, Rayon Sports defeated Sunrise 1-0. With 2 points separating them from the champions, the blues came in third.
On the other side, another team from a western province has been demoted.
Rutsiro district sponsored club have been officially relegated to Rwanda Division 2. Rutsiro FC joins the relegated Espoir FC while Etoile de l’est and Amagaju FC secured promotion spots last week.
Following the Club’s twenty-first league triumph, APR’s aim this season is on winning a double.
The league title come with a ticket to CAF Champions League. Rayon Sports will be the country’s flag bearers in CAF Confederation Cup should APR complete a double.
APR's Ishimwe and Nzotanga celebrate the second goal against Kiyovu on May 14, 2023 at KPS | Photo: Julius NTARE
APR FC will face arch-rivals Rayon Sports in the Peace Cup final after beating SC Kiyovu 2-1 in Sunday’s semi-final second leg at Kigali Pelé Stadium.
Following a well-deserved win against Kiyovu on Sunday, May 14 at Kigali Pelé Stadium, APR FC advanced to the Rwanda Peace Cup final.
The 13-time Peace Cup Winners advanced to the 2022/2023 final by defeating Kiyovu 2-1 (3-2 on aggregate). Innocent Nshuti and Christian Ishimwe scored to wipe out Riyaad Nordien’s early lead.
Rayon Sports, APR’s opponents, sealed a spot in the final by drawing 1-1 with Mukura for a 4-3 aggregate victory on Saturday.
The Army side is also vying for the Premier League crown, with the reigning champions only three points behind leaders Kiyovu with two games remaining.
It will be APR and Rayon’s first encounter in a Peace Cup final since 2016. The Blues defeated APR 1-0 thanks to Ismael Diarra’s goal.
The decider will be held at Huye International Stadium in Southern Province on Saturday June 3.
Espoir BBC defeated Kigali Titans, who dropped their fifth straight league game, with ease.
Espoir BBC are on their best roll of the season after they beat the Titans to make it eight straight victories on the back of 21 points from Olivier Turatsinze and 16 from Yamin Niyubahwe.
Olivier Turatsinze had 21 points, four assists and five steals. while Yamin Niyubahwe scored 16 off the bench as Espoir BBC beat the Titans 87-74 on Friday night in LDK gymnasium.
Francis Azolibe led Titans with 24 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and four blocks. Josue Tuyishime scored 20 points and Ryan Ntwali added 13 for the Titans, who fell for the fifth time in a row in the Rwanda Basketball League.
In this game, Espoir Shot 43% overall and made 37 of 85 attempts from field goal and they were 8 of 13 at the free throw line, outscoring the Titans who had 25-73 from field goal.
K Titans truly gave the game away last night due to lack of contribution by their bench and a few starters. The bench contributed only 8 points as they only used 8 players in 40 minutes.
Thierry Munyeshuri and Pierre Vandriesshe were there, watching from the stand, and the latter, along with Alvaro Masa, appeared on the APR squad that played a friendly game against REG on Wednesday.
Espoir BBC is on an eight-win run since February 12, when they lost 76-70 to REG. They are currently second on stands with 13-3 and have IPRC Huye on road in the next outings.
Rose Baguma, the Director General of education Policy and Analysis at the Ministry of Education, Dancille Nyirarugero, The Governor of Northern Province, and Christopher Karenzi, the Secretary General of SOR in handing over ceremony
Special Olympics Rwanda through the Unified Champion Schools project donated sports kits worth $41850 (about Rwf 47m) to 25 secondary schools from all districts of the Northern province.
MUSANZE, May 11, the governor of Northern province, Dancille Nyirarugero presided over a ceremony where Special Olympics Rwanda handed over a generous donation of sports equipment to 25 schools from Musanze, Gakenke, Gicumbi, Rulindo, and Burera districts.
Among other guests at the hand-over ceremony were Mrs. Rose Baguma, the Director General of Education Policy and Analysis at the Ministry of Education and Mr. Christopher Karenzi, the Secretary General at Special Olympics Rwanda. The ceremony was also attended by the beneficiary districts.
The initiative aims to improve and revitalize inclusive education via sports in all districts across the country. After the Eastern Province and the Kigali City, the Northern Province were next in line.
Speaking to John Bosco Muhamyangabo, the Unified champion schools project manager, he throws light on those materials and spell out the process of them handing over to the selected schools.
UCS Project manager at SOR, Mr. John Bosco Muhamyangabo going into detail on what the UCS initiative is for the individuals with intellectual impairments in Rwanda.
“The equipment is provided to pre-trained schools. For each school, we instruct a teacher and coach in capacity building. A teacher is taught what intellectual disability is, the difference between a person with intellectual disability and mental illness.”
“We also teach the coaches how a child with intellectual disability interacts with children without intellectual disabilities and the impact of that harmony on his/her life. And that’s the main goal of Unified Champion Schools,” said Muhamyangabo
Each school received a package comprises of soccer and bocce balls, stopwatch, whistles, corners, sports jerseys and athletic gear. The equipment will benefit an estimated 250 students in northern province.
On the side of Ministry of education, Rose Baguma appreciates the partnership between Ministry of Education and Special Olympics Rwanda as it helps to implement inclusive education and school sports policies at the same time.
Rose Baguma, the Director General of education Policy and Analysis at the Ministry of Education
“SOR contributes through the Unified Champion Schools in education of children with intellectual disabilities and the kits issued won’t be used by student with Intellectual disabilities only. The student without intellectual impairments benefit from the kits too.”
The cabinet adopted the Special Needs and Inclusive Education policy in 2019 along with its implementation plan. Baguma is quite positive that the Ministry of Education will continue to create capable educators who can help children with disabilities.
“All teacher candidates at the University of Rwanda/College of Education are educated about special needs and inclusive education policy, with the goal of ensuring that all children, including those with disabilities, share equally the best of inclusive and quality education.”
According to Dancille Nyirarugero, the northern province governor, she praised Special Olympics Rwanda for its contribution to improve the educational quality of children with intellectual disabilities through sports.
Governor Dancille Nyirarugero addresses SOR delegates and district representatives
“I am grateful to SOR for these Sports equipment provided. Sports itself is life, but Sport and physical activities positively impactacademic performance hence improves the quality of education”
“So, these materials in particular will help us integrate the children with intellectual disabilities in society,” declared the northern province governor.
5 District representatives ready to take the equipment to beneficiaries. This donation will reach 5 schools in each district of Northern Province.
So far, UCS project has touched all the corners of country. 70 eastern province schools, 40 from Kigali City and now 25 in the North have received the sports kits through this initiative. On Friday, SOR continued the donation in western province where 35 schools received the same package. Later, 40 schools in the southern province will be reached as well.
The handing over ceremony for the sports kits to 35 Western province schools. The event took place at the province HQs in Karongi
Rayon’s Ojera and teammates celebrate after the second goal. | Photo Credit: IGIHE
Rayon Sports rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the first half to upset Mukura Victory Sports 3-2 on the road on Wednesday, taking another step towards the 2023 Peace Cup final.
Hertier Nzinga Luvumbu, Ojera Joachiam, and Essomba Leandre Willy Onana provided the goals for the blues, canceling out Mukura’s goals from Robert Mukogotya and Ashraf Kamanzi.
Onana secured the winner in the second minute of stoppage time, a superb ball from Elie Ganijuru following Hadji Iraguha’s successful dribbles.
Iraguha was a game-changer after coming on as a substitute.
APR FC and Kiyovu drew 1-1 in the other semi-final match at Bugesera Stadium. Alain Kwitonda opened the scoring in the first half before Froduard Mugiraneza equalized for Kiyovu. Alain Kwitonda should have put the army ahead again, but his goal was called out for offside.
