{"id":54217,"date":"2025-05-19T10:33:55","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T10:33:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/ncba-rwanda-praised-for-sponsoring-31st-genocide-memorial-tennis-tournament\/"},"modified":"2025-05-19T10:33:25","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T10:33:25","slug":"ncba-rwanda-praised-for-sponsoring-31st-genocide-memorial-tennis-tournament","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/ncba-rwanda-praised-for-sponsoring-31st-genocide-memorial-tennis-tournament\/","title":{"rendered":"NCBA Rwanda praised for sponsoring 31st Genocide Memorial Tennis Tournament"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>From May 10 to May 18, 2025, the courts of IPRC Kigali hosted matches that brought together more than 140 players from across Rwanda. <\/p>\n<p>These participants represented various member clubs under the Rwanda Tennis Federation (FRT) and competed in nine different categories. <\/p>\n<p>These included divisions for professional and amateur players, seniors, and people with disabilities, with matches played in both singles and doubles formats for men and women.<\/p>\n<p>The final day of the tournament was marked by a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. <\/p>\n<p>Players, coaches, officials from the Rwanda Tennis Federation, as well as representatives from the Ministry of Sports and the Rwanda Olympic Committee, came together to pay tribute to the victims. <\/p>\n<p>They toured the memorial, reflected on the history of the genocide, and laid wreaths at the mass graves that hold the remains of thousands who perished in 1994.<\/p>\n<p>Before the championship matches, FRT President Theoneste Karenzi took a moment to express heartfelt gratitude to NCBA Rwanda. He emphasized the bank\u2019s crucial contribution in making this year\u2019s tournament a success.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is a tournament we organize every year, but this edition stood out,\u201d Karenzi remarked. \u201cWe had an impressive turnout of 145 players, which reinforced the very purpose of this event \u2014 to remember the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi. NCBA Bank Rwanda\u2019s support was vital, and we are currently in discussions about continuing this partnership for future tennis events.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Representing NCBA Rwanda, Nicholas Manzi spoke about the bank\u2019s broader vision for community impact through sports. He noted that the bank\u2019s involvement goes beyond financial services \u2014 it\u2019s about uplifting communities through meaningful engagement.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSupporting sports allows us to connect more deeply with the people we serve,\u201d Manzi said. \u201cIt\u2019s part of our mission to contribute to development in ways that go beyond banking. Tennis, in particular, is a sport we see growing in Rwanda with strong organization and great potential, and we are proud to be part of that journey.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The tournament featured several standout performances. In the amateur men\u2019s singles category, Karekezi Colin defeated Rukundo Innocent in straight sets (6\u20132, 7\u20136). <\/p>\n<p>In the amateur doubles division, Sean Buckley and Mugisha Livingston outplayed Antony Hachez and Vincent Vincent (7\u20135, 6\u20130). Among the seniors over 60, Gashugi Innocent and Mucyurabuhoro Eslon secured a win over Gatera Augustin and Katarebe Alphonse (6\u20133, 7\u20135).<\/p>\n<p>In the women\u2019s final, Umumararungu Gisele delivered a stunning comeback, rallying from a set down to beat Carine Nishimwe (4\u20136, 6\u20130, 6\u20130).<\/p>\n<p>The Genocide Memorial Tennis Tournament not only showcased Rwanda\u2019s growing tennis talent but also underscored the power of sport as a tool for remembrance, healing, and national unity.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87457\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0916-4-2ebb5.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87456\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0915-10-aa86f.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87458\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0917-8-6fe4c.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87459\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0918-4-da796.jpg\" alt=\"Yvonne Maniragena stood out in the category of women with disabilities. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87460\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0919-9-865f7.jpg\" alt=\"People with disabilities were also represented.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87461\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0922-4-ad554.jpg\" alt=\"Eslon Mucyurabuhuro won in the catgory of seniors over 60.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87462\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0924-4-aacb8.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87430\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/gro4d0kxgaaobvp-a3a9b.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87463\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0928-8-329b7.jpg\" alt=\"Nishimwe Nicole received the award for second place in the women\u2019s professional category.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87464\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0929-5-8ac9b.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87465\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0930-7-399ca.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87454\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0910-5-4dfa5.jpg\" alt=\"Nishimwe Nicole showed determination, but Umumararungu Gisele gave her no easy chances.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87453\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/img_0909-6-463e7.jpg\" alt=\"Umumararungu Gisele performed well in the final set\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87452\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/grputpmxkaagic1-e668d.jpg\" alt=\"Ishimwe Claude lost the final match\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87451\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/grputphx0aasn8a-8ecb9.jpg\" alt=\"Niyigena Etienne emerged victorious against his rival Ishimwe Claude, winning two sets to one.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87450\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/grputpbx0aahelk-9599b.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87449\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/grputpawiaawve5-b390e.jpg\" alt=\"Niyigena Etienne is among highly appreciated Tennis players in Rwanda. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87448\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/grpaewyxsaapesg-5d23f.jpg\" alt=\"Livingstone Mugisha\u2019s powerful play was key to his team\u2019s success.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87447\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/grpaevcwwaad1gt-bc230.jpg\" alt=\"Vincent and his team played hard, but it wasn\u2019t enough to secure the win.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87446\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/grpaeuuxyaastci-dec57.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87445\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/groqc_cxqaami2h-418bf.jpg\" alt=\"The final day of the tournament was marked by a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87444\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/grpaeu9wcaaahr0-77444.jpg\" alt=\"Antony Hachez lines up for the serve.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87443\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/groqbyiwuaaueho-23e28.jpg\" alt=\"The President of Rwanda Tennis Federation, Karenzi Theoneste joine dthe group visiting Kigali Genocide Memorial. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87442\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/groqbytweaagc0o-bf6a3.jpg\" alt=\"Salama Umutoni , second vice-president of Rwanda Olympic Commmittee  signing the guest book. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87441\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/grophqlwaaagp4e-46d5e.jpg\" alt=\"Umutoni Salama joined Tennis Tennis federation representatives during the event to honor Genocide victims. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87440\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/grophqcwwaayvr--5129d.jpg\" alt=\"Participants had an opportunity to learn from history of Genocide against the Tutsi. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87439\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/grophqcweaa9zt2-51ab1.jpg\" alt=\"An employee of Kigali Genocide Memorial took Tennis players through history that culminated in Rwanda&#039;s darked hour. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87438\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/gropbfgwuaaafus-cc9d2.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87437\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/grophq0wiaa0_1i-f6ee9.jpg\" alt=\"Tennis players carried wreaths to honor Genocide victims. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87436\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/gropbe3xcaas1vv-aa23a.jpg\" alt=\"The courts of IPRC Kigali hosted matches that brought together more than 140 players from across Rwanda.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87435\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/gropbe_xeaayodh-4c037.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87434\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/gro6khmwsaaqbes-0cdd9.jpg\" alt=\"Rukundo Innocent was beaten in the final match by Karekezi Colin.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87433\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/gro6khkwmaayk-f-96802.jpg\" alt=\"Karekezi Colin delivered a strong performance in the final match.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87432\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/gro4gemxoaawr2e-9d029.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87431\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/gro4geaxgaekau8-dd527.jpg\" alt=\"The final match attracted a large number of Tennis enthusiasts. \" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-87429\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/gro4gd5xaaal-0p-511df.jpg\" alt=\"Rwanda Tennis Federation leaders followed the game. \" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NCBA Rwanda has been commended for its significant role as a lead sponsor in the Tennis Tournament held in honor of the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The tournament concluded with an intense and emotional final, where Niyigena Etienne emerged victorious against his rival Ishimwe Claude, winning two sets to one (6\u20132, 5\u20137, 10\u20138).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":62,"featured_media":2000087428,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[75],"byline":[170],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-54217","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","tag-homenews","byline-igihe"],"bylines":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":8}],"contributors":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":8}],"featured_image":{"id":2000087428,"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/img_0917-8-6fe4c.jpg","alt":"","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","width":0,"height":0,"sizes":{"thumbnail":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/img_0917-8-6fe4c.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/img_0917-8-6fe4c.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"medium_large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/img_0917-8-6fe4c.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"large":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/img_0917-8-6fe4c.jpg","width":1,"height":1},"full":{"url":"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/IMG\/logo\/img_0917-8-6fe4c.jpg","width":0,"height":0}}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54217","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/62"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54217"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54217\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2000087428"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54217"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54217"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54217"},{"taxonomy":"byline","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/byline?post=54217"},{"taxonomy":"hashtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hashtag?post=54217"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}