The two are part of the 28-man provisional squad unveiled by Uganda’s head coach Paul Put, who will later trim the list ahead of the matches scheduled for September 5 and 8 at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.
Ssekiganda, a recent APR FC signing, operates as a defensive midfielder, while Omedi is a winger renowned for his pace and attacking runs down the flanks.
Their inclusion adds to the growing list of APR FC players representing their countries, which includes Rwandan internationals Ishimwe Pierre, Nduwayo Alex, Niyomugabo Claude, Fitina Omborenga, and Mugisha Gilbert, as well as Memel Dao, who has been called up for Burkina Faso.
Meanwhile, APR FC is intensifying its preparations for the 2025 CECAFA Kagame Cup, set to run from September 2 to 15 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The Huye-based club is seeking to strengthen its goalkeeping department following uncertainty over the future of Ugandan goalkeeper Nicolas Sebwato, whose contract has not yet been renewed.
Sebwato has also been linked with a potential move to APR FC, following concerns over the team’s goalkeeping weaknesses exposed during recent friendly matches.
Sources confirmed to IGIHE that Diouf has already agreed terms with Mukura VS and is expected to arrive in Kigali this Wednesday.
The Senegalese goalkeeper featured on Tuesday when his national team lost to Morocco on penalties, missing out on a place in the CHAN 2024 final.
So far, Diouf has played five matches and conceded only two goals — one against Congo Brazzaville and another against Morocco in the tournament which is being held in East Africa.
The competition will draw participants from around the world, with races across elite and under-23 divisions for both men and women.
Australia arrives well-prepared for the week-long event, fielding a mix of experienced stars and promising young riders across all categories.
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Australia’s men’s elite squad features some of the biggest names in world cycling, including Jai Hindley, Michael Matthews, and Luke Plapp.
Jai Hindley made history by winning the 2022 Giro d’Italia, becoming the first Australian to win the race and only the second Australian to win a Grand Tour. He also wore the yellow jersey as leader of the 2023 Tour de France for one stage.
Michael Matthews has claimed stage wins in all three Grand Tours—the Tour de France (4), Giro d’Italia (3), and Vuelta a España (3)—and won the green jersey at the 2017 Tour de France.
Luke Plapp, a multiple-time Australian National Champion, has won the road race three times (2022–2024) and the time trial four times (2021, 2024, 2025). He also earned a bronze medal in the men’s team pursuit at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The rest of the men’s elite squad includes Chris Hamilton, Chris Harper, Callum Scotson, Michael Storer, and Jay Vine, all accomplished riders with international racing experience.
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Among the women, Amanda Spratt stands out as Australia’s leading rider. She is a three-time Australian National Road Race Champion and has won two medals at the UCI Road World Championships—a silver and a bronze—highlighting her long-standing success at the highest level of the sport.
Joining Spratt are Neve Bradbury, Brodie Chapman, Lauretta Hanson, Alexandra Manly, and Ruby Roseman-Gannon, all of whom bring strong performances in domestic and international competitions.
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Australia will also field competitive under-23 squads. The women’s U23 team includes Alli Anderson, Mackenzie Coupland, and Felicity Wilson-Haffenden, while the men’s side features Matthew Greenwood, Zac Marriage, Hamish McKenzie, and Jack Ward, all promising talents in the Australian cycling development pathway.
Most races will be held on a 15.1-kilometre circuit around Kimihurura, with riders completing between five and 15 laps depending on their category.
Australia will aim for strong performances across all events as the world’s top cyclists converge in Rwanda.
Sixty juniors, ranging from 4 to 16 years old, competed across four divisions, bringing a mix of excitement, composure, and raw talent that left parents, coaches, and spectators convinced Rwanda is nurturing players who could soon compete on the continental stage.
The 18-hole advanced category proved the highlight of the day, delivering a commanding performance from Mukabwa Murenjekha, whose precision and calmness under pressure earned him a net 65 to secure first place.
His younger sister, Wambui Murenjekha, followed closely with a sharp short game and impressive course management, finishing with a net 70. Hannah Murenzi joined them on the podium with an equally composed net 70. Their consistency and strategic play sent a clear message: Rwanda’s junior golf program is producing athletes with the skill and temperament to excel regionally and beyond.
In the 9-hole intermediate division, six-year-old Joey Zane Wimfura Mutaboba stole the spotlight, claiming victory with a composed 49. Yao Yao and Cyibil Wambui weren’t far behind, with scores of 51 and 52, respectively, proving the depth of talent emerging in Rwanda’s youth golf scene.
The energy carried into the younger categories, where the 6-hole beginners put on a spirited performance led by Rodney Rwivanga at 35 strokes. In the 3-hole contest, Sine Saro and Travis Yuhi Emile tied for top honors with 17 strokes each. Even at these early levels, discipline and skill were evident, demonstrating that this tournament is more than just an event—it’s a vital pipeline for Rwanda’s future golf stars.
“This series isn’t simply about competition; it’s about building a pathway,” said Ambassador Bill Kayonga, Chairman of the Rwanda Golf Union. “We now have a structure for young golfers to develop their skills and feed directly into Rwanda’s national team. We thank NCBA for making this possible.”
“We’re proud to offer a glimpse into the next generation of African golf,” said Maurice Toroitich, Managing Director of NCBA Bank Rwanda. “Our investment in junior golf reflects our commitment to ‘Change the Story’ and build opportunities where they matter most.”
The event’s success was also a testament to the meticulous planning by Kigali Golf Resort & Villas, which has invested heavily in its junior academy. “Seeing these kids take the course with professionalism and joy proves that consistent coaching and opportunities pay off,” said Gaston Gasore, Acting CEO of Kigali Golf Resort & Villas.
As competition wrapped up, the tournament transformed into a lively family celebration. A poolside prize-giving ceremony featured grand trophies, giveaways, and a cake-cutting ceremony, with music, swimming, food, and ice cream courtesy of the sponsors. Families, golfers, and guests celebrated not only a successful tournament but also the bright future of Rwandan golf.
With strong partnerships, rising talent, and a clear development pathway, Rwanda’s next generation of golfers is swinging confidently toward a future filled with possibility.
Robertinho was dismissed by the Blues earlier this year after the club cited health concerns. The Brazilian tactician, however, lodged a complaint demanding his unpaid wages covering January to June 2025, when the season came to a close.
In a letter dated August 12, 2025, FIFA informed both parties that Rayon Sports has 45 days to settle the dues. Should the club fail to comply, it faces stiff sanctions, including a transfer ban preventing it from registering new players, both locally and internationally, for three consecutive windows.
The 63-year-old coach, who was earning $5,000 per month and went six months without pay, has since landed a new role with Saudi Arabian side Jeddah SC ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
The club has also obtained the necessary International Transfer Certificate (ITC) to register Amissi, who joins from Al-Qadsiah FC in Saudi Arabia, where he last played two years ago.
Amissi had previously signed with Kiyovu last season but was unable to feature due to the sanctions. Last month, he was spotted training with Rayon Sports, showcasing his fitness and readiness.
“Kiyovu Sports has now settled all outstanding payments required to register new players,” said club spokesperson Minani Hemed.
The club continues to strengthen its squad ahead of the new season and is reportedly in advanced talks with defender Ishimwe Jean Rene from Marine FC.
Ament, 18, plays for Tennessee Basketball in the United States known for nurturing top talent. He has been in Rwanda for several days on holiday, also taking time to explore his mother’s homeland.
During their discussions, Minister Mukazayire and Ament explored opportunities to develop basketball, as well as the importance of sports in fostering values, inspiring youth, and highlighting talents.
While in Rwanda, Ament visited children playing basketball in Kayonza and joined them in training sessions. He also visited Volcanoes National Park.
Recently ranked fourth among the top 100 young basketball players in the U.S., Ament is considered a rising star, with speculation already suggesting he could be in the 2026 NBA draft.
With a Rwandan mother, Ament recently unveiled a custom-made shoe by Reebok featuring the colors of the Rwandan flag.
Last year, he represented Team USA in the 2024 FIBA U-18 Americas Championship, where the team won the gold medal.
Ament, whose mother is Rwandan, is set to join the University of Tennessee Men’s Basketball Program this fall and is widely projected as a top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
At a time when his profile is rising, Nate chose to step away from the U.S. spotlight to spend time in the country he calls his second home, reconnect with family, and inspire the next generation of Rwandan athletes.
It was an opportunity for Ament to engage directly with young people through basketball sessions in Nyamirama, where local players, school children, and community members gathered for a day of sport, celebration, and learning.
The visit was hosted on courts developed by Shooting Touch, a nonprofit that has worked in Rwanda for over a decade to combine basketball with community health and youth empowerment.
Nate shared skills, played in scrimmages, and even joined in local dances with youth and women’s teams. These moments of joy and interaction highlighted a key message: that basketball is as much about relationships and shared experiences as it is about performance.
For many young players, Nate’s presence served as living proof of what can happen when hard work meets opportunity.
While the day included training sessions, games, and plenty of laughter, it also offered access to free health screenings — a reminder that sport can be a gateway to wider opportunities and well-being.
Reflecting on the visit, Shooting Touch’s Director of International Strategy and Programming, Chloe Rothman, emphasized the value of building courts within communities and pairing them with comprehensive health programs around the game.
“Our goal is to ensure athletes aren’t just healthy enough to play, but equipped to thrive long after their time with us. Having Nate Ament — arguably the most influential figure in Rwandan basketball to date — here with us, embracing our ‘bigger than basketball’ mission, means the world to our team and our community,” she said.
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Nate’s Rwandan connection runs deep. His mother, Godelive Mukankuranga, and father, Albert Ament, met in Rwanda in 1998 while working in health and humanitarian development.
Guided by the values instilled by his parents, Nate believes in using his talents to uplift others — a belief that shaped his activities during this trip.
One of the most meaningful moments came when students from the Itetero Kayonza Nursery and Primary School, run by Nate’s aunt, joined the basketball clinic.
For Nate, seeing his extended family alongside local children created a shared space where sport, culture, and heritage intertwined.
Celestin finished top of a competitive field of over 60 professional and amateur golfers from across Africa. Players competed for Ksh 2 million (about Frw 22 million) in prize money, as well as valuable Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points.
This is Celestin’s second major win of the season after his success at the Q-School tournament. He also recently finished runner-up at Nyali Golf & Country Club. His strong form continued on the challenging coastal course, where he managed the tough conditions with skill and consistency.
Kigali Golf Resort and Villas (KGRV), a brand of Rwanda Ultimate Golf Course (RUGC) with the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) as the main shareholder, warmly congratulated Celestin on his achievement.
“We are extremely proud of Celestin’s accomplishment. His talent and dedication inspire the Rwandan golf community and fans across the region. Kigali Golf Resort and Villas remains committed to supporting his journey as he continues to represent Rwanda on regional and international stages,” said Gasore Z. Gaston, Acting CEO of KGRV.
KGRV noted that Celestin’s success reflects Rwanda’s growing presence in the regional and international golfing arena, driven by strategic investments from RSSB and strong government support. Such initiatives have expanded opportunities for Rwandan athletes to compete at the highest levels while boosting the country’s profile as a golf and sports tourism destination.
The tournament will take place at Petit Stade, Kigali, from August 23 to 26.
This marks a historic moment as the global basketball development and community outreach program, jointly organised by the NBA and FIBA, brings together 60 of Africa’s top male and female players aged 18 and under.
The young talents will receive elite coaching from current and former NBA, WNBA, and FIBA players and legends, while also engaging in leadership, life skills training, and social responsibility activities.
The NBA, in a statement on Monday, emphasised the importance of the camp in nurturing basketball talent across the continent, noting the growing momentum for the sport in East Africa.
NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi said the timing of the camp is perfect, reflecting the sport’s rapid growth in the region.
“Basketball Without Borders Africa continues to provide a platform for top young players from across the continent to continue their development and reach the highest levels of the game,” Akamanzi said.
“We look forward to bringing this year’s camp to East Africa at a time when there is incredible momentum around the game in the region.”
Previously, the Basketball Without Borders Africa camp has been hosted in several African countries, including Angola, Egypt, Senegal, and South Africa, making Rwanda the newest addition to the list.
FIBA’s Head of Players Unit, Kimberley Gaucher, highlighted Rwanda’s rising prominence in African basketball, citing the country’s recent hosting of major events such as the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Pre-Qualifying tournament, four Basketball Africa League Playoffs and Finals between 2021 and 2024, and both boys’ and girls’ FIBA U-16 AfroBasket tournaments. Gaucher described the choice of Rwanda as “particularly significant” for the development of basketball in East Africa.
Since its inception in 2001, the Basketball Without Borders program has impacted over 4,600 participants from 144 countries and territories. Notably, 142 former campers have been drafted into the NBA and WNBA or signed as free agents, including stars like 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid and 2019 NBA champion Pascal Siakam.
