Category: Sports

The green light to host international competitions follows CAF officials’ inspection of the state-of-the-art 45,000-seater stadium in April.

“In line with the previous communication, we acknowledge receipt of the pre-inspection report of Amahoro Stadium (Kigali) in Rwanda conducted by the FERWAFA CLM and validated by CAF.

“Following the review of the report by CAF, please note that the stadium is approved for use in all upcoming CAF/FIFA competitions since it meets all the set minimum CAF stadium requirements to host such matches,” CAF said in a communiqué to sports officials in Rwanda on Thursday, June 13.

CAF further lauded the renovation work done at the stadium, terming it one of the best sports venues on the African continent.

“We take this opportunity to congratulate the stadium authorities and FERWAFA for the outstanding renovation work completed at Amahoro Stadium (Kigali) in Rwanda, making it one of the best venues on the African continent,” CAF added.

Amahoro Stadium, which has been under renovation for nearly two years, will be formally inaugurated during the 30th Liberation Day celebrations on July 4.

Turkish contractor Summa is putting the final touches on the stadium before the pre-opening friendly showdown between archrivals APR and Rayon Sports on June 15.

The stadium was renovated at a cost of $160 million, which saw the capacity expanded from 25,000 to 45,000.

Besides the football turf with a cutting-edge hybrid surface, blending natural grass and artificial turf, Amahoro boasts an eight-lane track for athletics events, a Paralympic gymnasium, and training facilities for football, handball, and volleyball.

The sports arena has also been fitted with various amenities, including VIP lounges, an Amavubi bar, dressing rooms, washrooms, coaches’ offices, a massage room, a changing room, and a FIFA office.

Additionally, there are rooms for match officials, a medical room, a doping control room, a staff management room, and a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) room, among others.

Emmanuel Mutabazi bagged a bronze medal for Rwanda after finishing third, with a time of one hour, four minutes, and 27 seconds, during the 19th edition of the Global Elite Label men’s half marathon. Kenyan runner Francis Kipkorir Langat claimed the first position with a time of one hour, four minutes and four seconds, followed by his compatriot Leonard Kipkoech Langat who finished second with a time of one hour, four minutes and 24 seconds.

The winners were awarded $5,000, $4,000, and $3,000 in prize money.

In the women’s half marathon category, Emeline Imanizabayo was awarded a bronze medal after finishing the race in one hour, 14 minutes and two seconds. The gold and silver medals went to Kenya’s Winfridah Moraa Moseti and her compatriot Vivian Jepkogel Cheruiyot, who ran in 1:12:50 and 1:14:01, respectively.

It was a podium sweep for Kenya in the full marathon category, with Laban Kipngetich Korir, Cornelius Kibet Kiplagat, and Moses Mengich taking the top three positions. Kipkorir clocked 2:16:06 to lead the clean podium sweep, followed by Kibet (2:16:18) and Mengich (2:18:38).

In the female category, Joan Kipyatich and Florence Chepsoi Jepkosgei, both from Kenya, walked home with gold and bronze after running 2:33:27 and 2:39:34, respectively. The silver went to Ethiopia’s Abebayehu Meseret, who finished second in 2:36:08.

The annual sports event is organised by the Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) in partnership with the Ministry of Sports, to promote peace and athletic excellence on a global stage.

The 19th edition of the marathon attracted a total of 10,183 participants from 35 countries, including 4,001 foreign participants. This is the highest number of participants since the marathon’s inception in 2005.

Those who attended the event included Minister of Sports Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju, Minister of Local Government, Jean Claude Musabyimana, Mayor of the City of Kigali, Samuel Dusengiyumva, and President of the Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF), Lt Col (Rtd) Kayumba Lemuel, among others.

Also present were First Daughter Ange Kagame and Clare Akamanzi, the CEO of NBA Africa, who participated in the 10-kilometer ‘Run for Peace’.

The 45,000-seat stadium is being renovated for $160 million. The renovation work began in August 2022 and is expected to be completed before August this year.

Speaking on Sanny Ntayombya’s podcast, Long Form, Sports Minister Aurore Mimosa said outsourcing management would ensure the facility is utilized to its full potential year-round.

“We are thinking about bringing in a company or individual to manage the facility and maximize its use. This will help us achieve a return on investment, not just for the sports facilities but also for things such as the 22 skyboxes and ensure that when there are no competitions, there are other revenue-generating services around the stadium. For example, you could have restaurants, utilize the skyboxes, and leverage the large conference room for events beyond sporting activities,” the minister stated.

She mentioned that the public-private business arrangement has been largely successful in managing BK Arena, a multi-purpose indoor arena in Kigali used mostly for basketball, volleyball matches, and concerts.

“It’s a good model that has worked. Everyone plays their role, which means as a government you invest in infrastructure and work on sports development. You want to bring in someone who has the expertise in managing and marketing the facility. It’s a win-win situation,” she said.

According to the minister, the government is already in talks with parties interested in managing Amahoro Stadium, but no deal has been reached yet.

The minister emphasized that the huge investment in the multi-purpose stadium was aimed at ensuring the facility meets standards set by global bodies such as FIFA and the World Athletics Federation, increasing Rwanda’s chances of hosting major competitions.

“It’s been a huge investment that the government has made, but again, the government also thinks about a return on investment for that facility. They are also focusing on different areas, using the facility for our athletes who are competing outside the country. Most of the time, you want to have infrastructure that meets the standards. That’s one,” Mimosa explained, adding that the renovations also enhanced Petit Stade for basketball and the Paralympics gymnasium.

“Number two, we also ask, how can we make sure that we host those kinds of competitions in Rwanda instead of our team going outside? At the end of the day, when you look at the expenses and the cost of our national team competing outside the country, it’s almost the same as when you are hosting. The money you spend on preparing the team, and the cost of hotels, flights, and all those expenses, when totalled, is most likely almost the same as hosting a big competition. You also consider how much you spend because, at the end of the day, if you don’t host, somebody else will.”

The minister also spoke of plans to build or give a facelift to at least six more stadiums across various parts of the country including Musanze, Gicumbi, Rubavu and Nyagatare
to allow Rwanda to bid for major tournaments such as the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“As the Government of Rwanda, we want to position ourselves as a sports hub. For you to position yourself as a sports hub, you have to invest in infrastructure, not only for stadiums but also in other disciplines,” she added.

According to documents seen by IGIHE, the 17-year-old, who is part of the Tony Football Excellence Program (TFEP), has been invited to train with the club from April 12 to June 4, 2024, under the club’s international football training and sports development program.

FC Estoril Praia, ranked 12th in the top Portuguese league, Liga Portugal, will foot his travel, living, and medical expenses during the entire training period.

The player’s dedication to football and his impressive performances as a member of the TFEP U17 team are said to have played a crucial role in his selection.

TFEP Programme

TFEP, an Israeli sports project, was introduced in Rwanda in September 2022, with the aim of enhancing sports development among talented youth in schools.

The project, led by renowned Israeli sports investor Yonat Miriam Listenberg, was launched three months after receiving approval from the Cabinet to help in fostering capacity building, improving infrastructure, and implementing sport-tech technologies in the country.

The agreement was formalised with the signing of a partnership agreement with the Government of Rwanda, represented by the Ministry of Sports, Ministry of Education, and the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), on September 4, 2022.

Speaking during the signing of the deal, Listenberg affirmed that the program would nurture Rwandan youth to become global stars.

“We thank H.E, the President of the Republic of Rwanda, and government leaders for creating an enabling environment to invest in Rwandan youth and communities through sports. The project aims to promote sports culture and leadership among Rwandan young girls and boys. The partnership between the Government of Rwanda and the TFEP will ensure the achievement of our common goal, namely to nurture Rwandan youth of today to become the global stars of tomorrow,” the Director of TFEP asserted.

On her part, Minister of Sports, Aurore Mimosa Munyangaju, expressed her confidence that the project would be a game-changer in the sports sector as it implements both the Sports Development Policy and the Schools Sports Policy.

“The program will develop players throughout their entire journey from an early age into professional players and will integrate football education with the current school curriculum. We thank the investor for recognising the potential in Rwanda and committing to investing in the country.”

“Talent development is an essential aspect of athletes’ development pathways, and under this program, we are confident that young football talents will be nurtured into future professional players,” the minister said.

The race began at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, February 21st, with 90 cyclists embarking from Karongi to Rubavu, covering a 93-kilometer route. The race’s initial phase witnessed multiple breakaway attempts, with Eritrean cyclist Araya and Algerian Azzedine Lagab making notable efforts to advance.

Chris Froome also made a solo breakaway, albeit temporarily, before being absorbed back into the main group.

Pierre Latour of TotalEnergies later surged ahead, creating a considerable distance from the peloton.

He maintained this lead until Brieuc Rolland from Groupama-FDJ overtook him, setting up an exciting climax. However, the pack caught up with Rolland as they neared Rubavu, leading to a mass sprint towards the finish.

In the race’s critical moments, William Lecerf Junior showcased exceptional speed, breaking away to secure the victory. This win underscored the collective strength of the Soudal Quick-Step team, with Pepijn Reinderink successfully holding onto the overall lead.

Additionally, Mugisha Moise’s performance as the top Rwandan, securing the 18th spot with the same time as Lecerf, was noteworthy. He solidified his position as a promising national talent, ranking 17th in the general classification, only seven seconds behind the leader.

The race kicked off with an early breakaway featuring Munyaneza Didier of Rwanda among other spirited cyclists. Despite their efforts, the main group managed to reel in the breakaway, setting the stage for a compact finish. The final 20 kilometers saw several attempts to escape from the peloton, with Itamar Einhorn, the victor of the second stage, William Lecerf Junior, and Pierre Latour making notable efforts. However, their attempts were in vain as the peloton stayed together for a mass finish.

At a crucial moment, Restrepo launched an attack and successfully distanced himself from his rivals, emulating his 2020 success on the same route. In the meantime, Dutch cyclist Pepijn Reinderink of the Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team captured the yellow jersey, setting the stage for an exciting battle in the upcoming stages. The next stage promises more thrilling action as it leads the riders from Karongi to Rubavu. The Tour of Rwanda 2024 continues to excite and entertain, highlighting the exceptional skills and strategies of the competitors in this renowned race.

Riding for the UCI Pro Team Israel Premier Tech, Einhorn outpaced William Junior Lecerf and Pepijn Reinderink of the Soudal Quick-Step team, along with Javier Serrano Rodriguez from the Polti Kometa team, securing the first place at the finish line in Kibeho. He completed the 129 km track in three hours, 17 minutes, and 31 seconds.

This victory not only highlighted Einhorn as the first Israeli cyclist to win a stage at the Tour of Rwanda but also underscored his status as the reigning national road race champion of Israel for the last two years.

Eritrea’s Merhawi Kudus, the 2019 Tour of Rwanda winner, finished strong in the top 10. The stage ended with all leading times marked at 3h 17min 31s.

Stage 2 Standings:

1. Itamar EINHORN (IPT)

2. William Junior LECERF (SQD)

3.Pepijn REINDERINK (SQD)

4. Javier SERRANO RODRIGUEZ (PTK)

5. Giacomo VILLA (BWB)

6. Lorenz VAN DE WYNKELE (LDD)

7. Julien SIMON (TEN)

8. Baptiste VADIC (TEN)

9. Brieuc ROLLAND (CGF)

10. Merhawi KUDUS (ERI)

11. Aklilu AREFAYNE (ERI)

12. Peter Jospeh BLACKMORE (IPT)

The victory did not come easily, especially towards the end, with Vervenne holding a slim five-second lead just four kilometers from the finish line. Despite the pressure, his exceptional time-trialling abilities shone through, enabling him to maintain the lead and achieve a memorable victory. The Soudal Quick-Step team’s performance sets a high standard as they lead the peloton into the second stage of the race.

Their closest competitors, Israel Premier Tech, finished the course in 21 minutes and 8 seconds, followed by other teams that also gave strong performances. Team Rwanda 2024, representing the host nation, secured the ninth position with a time of 21 minutes and 56 seconds, demonstrating the depth of talent across the teams.

The 16th edition of the Tour of Rwanda began with the team time trial, covering a route that will be featured in the 2025 World Championships. The course stretched from the BK Arena in Kigali to the Kigali Convention Center, with the final 2300 meters presenting a slight incline, adding an extra layer of challenge to the competitors.

As the race moves forward, the peloton is set to tackle a 130-kilometer journey from Muhanga to Kibeho in the second stage, promising more thrilling cycling action in the days to come.

Peter Agblevol’s brace in the second half was enough for the law enforcers to lift the trophy in front of the fully parked stadium.

APR FC opened the score through Nshimiyimana Yunusu’s header in the 13th minute but the law enforcers’ defense had a hard task to contain serial attacks from APR wings, to prevent further leaks.

Police had its double efforts denied by the APR goalkeeper, Nzila Pavelh on the stroke of the first half.

Peter Agblevol made no mistake, however, in the 75th minute to utilize Djibrine Akuki’s cross to nod in past Nzila to make it 1-1.

Attacks from APR from time to time in the second half yielded no positive results.

It was rather Agblevol’s last nail in the dying minutes of second period that put Police FC in command, after a quick through-in from Muhadjiri to midfielder Abed Bigirimana, who passed the gift of Agblevol to bury the ball inside the net, to make it 2-1.

APR FC and Police FC eliminated Musanze and Rayon Sport in the semifinals, on penalties.

This year’s Heroes Day was celebrated under the theme “Heroism among Rwandans, our Dignity.”

Ministry records indicate that out of the 5,000 individuals intended for transfer, only about 700 can be located at present.

Officials estimate that the first flight could carry between 100 and 150 people, depending on the whereabouts of those still unaccounted for.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced that transfers are scheduled to commence early this year, pending legislative approval.

The proposed bill seeks to eliminate specific legal barriers related to the UK’s policy with Rwanda and make amendments to aspects of human rights law. This would grant ministers the authority to override judgments from European courts.

However, the bill faced criticism last week from 50 MPs, who called for a reassessment and reforms to strengthen it.

Initially planned for June 2022, the transfer was halted by the European Court of Human Rights.

The primary challenge faced by the ministry remains locating the majority of the concerned migrants. Additionally, the transportation process from reception centers to planes is complicated by various obstacles, including protests, adverse weather conditions, and resistance from those responsible for monitoring and escorting migrants.

Suggestions have arisen that the Home Office could use Ministry of Defence aircraft to expedite the process, but the military has declined involvement in this plan.

Concerns have been raised about Rwanda’s preparedness, especially regarding the availability of lawyers to assist migrants. However, a recent agreement between the two countries aims to address these shortcomings by strengthening Rwanda’s judicial system.

The increasing influx of migrants to the UK and their disappearance before placement in transit centers further complicates the situation, potentially delaying transfers due to insufficient numbers.

Speaking to The Telegraph; Yvette Cooper, a political analyst at the Home Office highlighted numerous challenges in the transfer process. Although 17,000 people were initially expected, many remain unaccounted for.

In December last year, the UK proposed legislation facilitating the sending of migrants to Rwanda, a day after the British Home Secretary signed a new agreement in Kigali.

This agreement, initially signed in 2022, was revised following concerns from the UK Supreme Court regarding the legality of the approach and the risks of returning migrants to their home countries.

The new agreement and the bill aim to address the concerns expressed by the British Supreme Court.