Category: Sports

Spectators gathered in anticipation at the grand opening ceremony of the Tour du Rwanda, filling the BK Arena with an electric energy.

The prestigious cycling event, which has gained international recognition, brings together top cyclists from Africa and beyond.

The honour of being the first rider to set off went to Nzafashwanayo Jean Claude, representing the Centre Mondial Cyclisme team. He is one of 16 Rwandan cyclists participating in this year’s competition, which features a total of 14 teams and 69 riders.

The opening day’s race will cover a 3.4-kilometre individual time trial, where each rider competes against the clock to set the best time.

The 2025 Tour du Rwanda is scheduled to run from February 23 to March 2, traversing all four provinces of Rwanda as well as the City of Kigali.

The race, renowned for its challenging mountainous routes, continues to grow in prominence as one of Africa’s most demanding and thrilling cycling events.

First held in 1988 as a regional competition, the Tour du Rwanda became part of the UCI Africa Tour in 2009. It is currently classified as a 2.1 category race, attracting elite professional teams from around the world.

The race has become a key event on the international cycling calendar, drawing some of the best riders to compete on Rwanda’s scenic but grueling terrain.

The 2024 edition saw Joe Blackmore of Israel – Premier Tech claim victory in a memorable fashion. Not only did he celebrate his 21st birthday during the race, but he also took the race lead on that day and secured his triumph with a solo win in the final stage in Kigali.

The victory marked his first UCI race win, making it an especially significant milestone in his career.

Beyond cycling

The Tour du Rwanda is more than just a race; it serves as a platform to showcase Rwanda’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture.

The event plays a crucial role in promoting tourism and economic growth, drawing visitors from around the globe and uniting Rwandans who passionately line the race routes to cheer for their favourite riders.

Here’s a snippet into how some of them performed over the past weekend

Arthur Gitego departs AFC Leopards

Rwanda’s national team striker, Gitego Arthur, has parted ways with Kenya’s AFC Leopards by mutual agreement.

During his one-year stint in Kenya, he emerged as the top scorer in the FKF Cup with five goals and netted three times in the league, providing one assist.

Bonheur Mugisha’s Stade Tunisien loses Tunisian super cup

Mugisha Bonheur’s club, Stade Tunisien, lost the Tunisian Super Cup after a 2-0 defeat to Espérance Sportive de Tunis. This marked their second consecutive loss against the same opponent.

Mugisha, a key player for Rwanda’s national team, was named in the starting XI and played the full match under coach Larbi Ben Hassine.

Hakim Sahabo scores first goal for K. Beerschot V.A

Belgium-based midfielder Hakim Sahabo scored his first goal for K. Beerschot V.A in a match against Gent. However, his team suffered a 3-2 loss and remains at the bottom of the league table.

Upcoming matches for Innocent Nshuti and Ange Mutsinzi

On Monday, February 17, 2025, Nshuti Innocent’s Sabail PFK will face Sabah Baku in Azerbaijan’s Premier League.

Meanwhile, Zire FK, featuring Rwandan defender Mutsinzi Ange, secured a 3-0 victory against Sumqayit. Mutsinzi played the entire match.

Samuel Gueulette helps RAAL La Louvière end winless streak

In Belgium’s second division, midfielder Samuel Gueulette played the full match as RAAL La Louvière defeated Seraing 4-1, marking a turnaround after a series of poor results.

Elsewhere, defender Imanishimwe Emmanuel, also known as ‘Mangwende,’ remains sidelined due to injury and did not feature for AEL Limassol in Cyprus’ top division.

On a happier note, Libya’s Al Ahly Tripoli, home to Rwandan defender Manzi Thierry and national team captain Bizimana Djihad, secured a 2-1 win over Asaria last week.

Ntwari struggles for game time at Kaizer Chiefs

Amavubi goalkeeper Ntwari Fiacre is struggling for playing time at South African giants Kaizer Chiefs. He was left out over the weekend as Chiefs claimed a 3-0 victory over Chippa United.

Kwizera Jojea, who plays for Rhode Island in the USL Championship (USA’s second division), is preparing for a friendly match against Hartford Athletic ahead of the new season in March 2025.

In other news, Switzerland-based Johan Marvin Kury made his debut for FC Zürich II in the third division, coming on as a substitute in the 79th minute during a 1-1 draw with Delémont.

Players who continue to perform well in these different leagues stand a strong chance of being called up for Rwanda’s national team, Amavubi, for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Nigeria and Lesotho in March 2025.

He died at Kampala Hospital for an injury sustained during the Nile Special Rugby Premiership fixture between Buffaloes Rugby Club and Kampani Eagles RFC on February 8, 2025, at Kyadondo Rugby Club in Kampala.

“It is with deep sorrow that the Kampani Eagles RFC and the Uganda Rugby Union announce the passing of Kayondo Ronnie, a valued member of the Kampani Eagles RFC,” the statement read.

The statement, signed by Adam Kabalega, Chairman of Kampani Eagles Rugby Club, and Godwin Kayangwe, President of the Uganda Rugby Union, further expressed grief over the loss of the young player:

“The Uganda Rugby Union, Kampani Eagles RFC and the wider rugby community mourn the loss of this promising young player, who had so much more to offer. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ronnie’s family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”

While comprehensive statistics on rugby-related fatalities in Uganda are scarce, the sport has witnessed tragic incidents in the past. In 2012, a Kenyan women’s rugby player Lillian Shikoyi died after sustaining a spinal injury during a match at Kyadondo.

Globally, rugby union is recognized as a full-contact sport with a relatively high risk of injury, including fatal and catastrophic spinal injuries.

The Ugandan rugby community has expressed an outpouring of condolences for Kayondo, whose passion and dedication to the sport were widely recognized. His passing is a heartbreaking loss, and he will be remembered for his contributions to Kampani Eagles RFC and the sport in Uganda.

“May the soul of the dearly departed rest in eternal peace,” the statement concluded.

The 2025 edition of the race is set to take place from February 23 to March 2, bringing together top cyclists from Africa and around the world.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, February 6, Tour du Rwanda and the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) reassured teams, riders, and fans that the security situation in Rwanda remains stable.

While recent clashes in Eastern DRC had briefly affected areas near the Rwandan border, organisers stated that all necessary measures have been taken to prevent any disruption to the race.

“Life in Rubavu and all across Rwanda continues as normal. Therefore, the Tour du Rwanda can proceed without any alteration to the schedule, and riders, teams, and supporters can be assured of a safe and enjoyable event,” the statement read.

The Tour du Rwanda, first held in 1988, has grown into one of Africa’s most renowned cycling events. Initially a regional competition, the race became part of the UCI Africa Tour in 2009 and is currently classified as a 2.1 category race, attracting elite professional teams from across the world.

Known for its challenging mountainous routes, the Tour du Rwanda is regarded as one of the most demanding races on the continent. The event not only tests the endurance and skill of cyclists but also showcases Rwanda’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant culture.

Joe Blackmore from Israel – Premier Tech won the 2024 Tour du Rwanda. He had a fantastic race, even celebrating his 21st birthday during the event and taking the race lead that day. He sealed his victory with a solo win in the final stage in Kigali. It was his first UCI race win, making it a very special achievement.

Beyond its sporting significance, the Tour du Rwanda plays a crucial role in promoting tourism and economic development in the country. The event is a major source of national pride, uniting Rwandans who enthusiastically line the race routes to cheer for local and international riders.

The news comes after some players received criticism for celebrations many feel crossed the line by mocking opponents. Iliman Ndiaye received a yellow card after he scored Everton’s winner against Brighton and then celebrated by flapping his arms like a seagull.

But when Myles Lewis-Skelly mimicked Erling Haaland in his goal celebration at the Emirates, he received no punishment. Arsenal went on to beat Manchester City 5-1 on Sunday.

Former Arsenal forward Theo Walcott praised Lewis-Skelly for his strength of character, saying: “He was not afraid of Haaland at all.”

However, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher both said they thought the 18-year-old’s actions were disrespectful. The celebration came after Haaland mocked the Lewis-Skelly at the end of an ill-tempered 2-2 draw at the Etihad in September, taunting him by asking: “Who are you?”

In the past, Jamie Vardy has mimicked an eagle when scoring against Crystal Palace and was criticized by some for his interactions with the Tottenham supporters at the end of last month, when Leicester beat Tottenham 2-1. He received no caution for either action.

Similarly, Neal Maupay was thought to be mocking James Maddison when he copied the midfielder’s darts celebration after scoring for Brentford against Spurs a year ago.

Maddison then criticized Maupay in his post-match interview and the forward hit back on social media.
This season, Phil Foden and Joshua Zirkzee have pretended to fire guns towards the crowd after scoring goals but received no punishment.

In the NFL, players who imitate the shooting of weapons when celebrating face heavy post-match fines.
The Premier League’s chief football officer, Tony Scholes, said: “There’s a balance. I think we all like to see celebrations. Some of the celebrations have been very funny, entertaining, but there’s a line.

“Once it crosses over into mockery or criticism then we would need to deal with it.”

CAF’s decision follows thorough inspections and assessments conducted by their technical and infrastructure experts. According to the findings, while significant progress has been made in the construction and upgrading of stadiums, training fields, hotels, and healthcare facilities, the current infrastructure is not yet fully prepared to meet the high standards required for hosting the prestigious tournament.

CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe expressed confidence in the efforts of the host nation’s leaders – President William Ruto of Kenya, President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania, and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda.

“The progress made so far is commendable. However, additional time is necessary to ensure the highest quality of infrastructure. We are committed to delivering a world-class tournament that celebrates African football.”

The postponement allows the host countries to continue their preparations without the pressure of impending deadlines. Ongoing construction and renovations will now have the required time to meet CAF’s standards, enhancing overall tournament experience for teams and fans alike.

The competition draw for CHAN 2024 initially scheduled for February 2025 will still take place in Nairobi on January 15, 2025. The exact dates for the rescheduled Championship in August 2025 will be announced by CAF in due course.

This international stadium, with a seating capacity of 45,000, was officially inaugurated six months ago and began hosting matches in August 2024. These new developments mark a significant milestone for sports infrastructure in the region.

Reliable sources intimated to IGIHE that the installation of VAR equipment has been completed, with testing scheduled for February 2025. During the stadium’s renovation, dedicated spaces for advanced football officiating technology were allocated, ensuring compatibility with modern standards.

A senior official from Rwanda’s football governing body confirmed the progress but refrained from providing an exact completion timeline due to potential challenges in testing the system.

“The installation of VAR is ongoing, but I cannot confirm a specific date for its full operation. It’s better to announce once the system is fully functional and can be demonstrated,” the official said.

The official revealed that the Spider Camera will also be installed as planned. However, installation is just one part of the process; ensuring it works perfectly is equally important. “People should understand that such advancements require meticulous preparation,” he said.

With these technological upgrades, Amahoro stadium is poised to enhance the experience for both players and fans, further cementing its reputation as a leading sports facility in the region and beyond.

The 36-year-old Fury previously announced his retirement after beating Dillian Whyte in April 2022 but returned six months later. The Briton has enjoyed two stints as heavyweight champion and holds a record of 34 wins, two defeats and one draw.

“Hi everybody, I’m going to make this short and sweet. I’d like to announce my retirement from boxing, it has been a blast, I’ve loved every single minute of it and I’m going to end with this; Dick Turpin wore a mask,” Fury said.

Fury shocked long-reigning world champion Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 to win the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles.

After over two-and-a-half years out of the ring, during which he tackled mental health issues, Fury returned to action in 2018 and became a two-time champion by beating Deontay Wilder to claim the WBC belt in 2020.