The Boxing Federation of Tanzania ((BFT) held its general election here on Saturday, but failed to get a president after voters rejected a lone candidate.

Andrew Kueana who stood unopposed after his challenger Muta Rwakatare was disqualified for lack of merit, was rejected by 14 voters against 11 who cast their votes in his favour.

National Sports Council (NSC) member Jamal Rwamboh, who supervised the election, confirmed that BFT delegates have rejected Kueana and therefore, the federation has no president.

Rwakatare was disqualified after failing to submit during the screening a police report to ascertain his claims that his academic certificates and other important documents have been stolen.

Rwakatare was tipped to be elected president and his disqualification was strongly opposed by the delegates, some of whom bitterly argued with Rwamboh over what they claimed as ‘foul play’ by the NSC. The council, however, refuted the accusations.

BFT will now be under vicepresident Lukelo Wililo, who collected 19 votes during the polls also attended by NSC secretary general Henry Lihaya and his lieutenants Richard Mganga and Nelson Chacha.

Makore Mashaga retained the secretary general post in absentia after realising 17 ‘yes’ votes against five which rejected him, while Chad Jonathan Kapandantava was elected treasurer with 21 votes.

By COSMAS MLEKANI, Tanzania Daily News

Rwanda’s Lawrence Yakan Guma was named the Most Valuable player of the just concluded Zone V World Championships Qualifiers. But rather than savour the moment of glory, he paid attribute to his teammates’ effort.

The centre hailed his teammates for their effort in qualifying the team to the last qualifying round, which is slated for next year in Cameroon.

Egypt, which won all matches, was joined in the next round by both Rwanda and Kenya. Rwanda won three and lost one, while Kenya won two and lost two.

“We did well, we gave our best as a team, and we are happy to achieve this, but this is just the first step for us, and so we will need to work hard for the next round,” said the former Kigali Volleyball Club and APR player.

Yakan was also named best sever, his skipper Christophe Mukunzi won the award for best receiver, Egypt Reda Mohamed, Youssef Hassan and Elkotb Ahmed were named best libero and best setter respectively, while Kenya’s Philip Maiyo was best spiker.

Yakan added, “I am happy with the MVP award, but what is most important is that the team has been wonderful in this tournament.  The whole team has been outstanding throughout and so this is a team award,” he told Times Sport on courtside after receiving his award.

The one week tournament took place at Amahoro indoor stadium in Kigali. Rwanda managed to beat Kenya, Uganda and Burundi while losing to African champion Egypt but still qualified for the next round.

Uganda finished in fourth position with one win over Burundi, who came fifth after losing all their four matches without winning a single set.

Rwanda joins hosts Cameroon, Algeria Nigeria and Gabon, while Kenya join the group of Egypt, Botswana, Zambia and Cape Vert.

By Peter Kamasa, The New Times

Rwanda volleyball Federation is ready to host the 2013 Africa Volleyball Congress, Gustave Nkurunziza, an official has said. The event will take place at the Kigali Serena Hotel from December 7-8.

The event will be attended by, among others, the International Volleyball Federation President Brazilian born, Dr. Ary S. Graça, who will arrive in country on December 5 together with the Organising Committee and the other delegations will arrive in Kigali the next day.

The annual event will bring together the sport’s top governing officials from all African federations and African Volleyball governing body (CAVB), invited European, American and Asian confederation’s presidents.

Rwanda has been chosen to host the two-day meeting ahead of Cote d’Ivoire and Democratic Republic of Congo.

“This is another opportunity for Rwanda to prove that we are more than capable of hosting international events,” said the chairman of Rwanda Volleyball Federation.

In June- July this year Rwanda hosted Sub-zone before hosting Zone V World Championships qualifying tournaments from November 26 to December 1 where Rwanda and Kenya joined Egypt to the qualifier for the final round slated for next year in January and February.

By Peter Kamasa,The New Times

The national athletics mountain running team that won the Africa Mountain Running championship in Nigeria has been voted the Nile Special USPA Sports personality for the month of November, 2013.

Geoffrey Kusuro. Photo IAAF

The team of Geoffrey Kusuro, Philip Kiplimo, Nathan Ayeko and Solomon Mutai collected 265points ahead of boxer Solomon Bogere, bodybuilder Ivan Byekwaso and beach volleyball team who managed 190, 180 and 165 points respectively during the scribes’ monthly assembly at Lugogo Tennis Club.

Kusuro beat 2012 champion Abebe Dinkesa of Ethiopia to the gold medal and Ugandan Philip Kiplimo clinched the silver medal after he crossed the line in 1:02:56.

Another Ugandan Solomon Mutai came fourth while Nathan Ayeko was fifth with Kenya finishing second and hosts Nigeria third.

In September, Phillip Kiplimo won the World Mountain Running Championships gold in Poland and inspired Team Uganda to top position.

The scribes further commended beach volley players Isaac Omedo and Hannington for winning the Castle Lite International Beach Volleyball tournament, Daniel Rotich and Linet Toroitich for winning the MTN marathon in the 21kms men and women respectively.

Others commended were Uganda Police team for winning the Inter Forces Championship, City Oilers Basketball Team for reaching the FUBA Castle Lite basketball playoff finals in their maiden year and Onesmas Atamba and Lillian Zawadde for winning the national Woodball Championship.

KCCA men’s volleyball team for returning to Super league, golfer Willy Kitata for winning three consecutive tournaments in November were also commended.

By Johnson Were, The New Vision

Mombasa County soccer officials were yesterday up in arms over a decicion by Cecafa organisers to have teams fly in and out of Mombasa on the same day.

Mombasa County Governor Hassan Joho

The move, the officials claim, goes against an earlier arrangement in which teams were to be booked into posh ocean-side hotels for the quarter finals this weekend.

The dramatic changes are contained in a letter dated December 2 to the County government of Mombasa that is signed by Football Kenya Federation chief Sam Nyamweya.

Speaking in Mombasa yesterday hours after the officials received the letter, FKF South Coast branch secretary Evans Mwachia said they were shocked by the new development.

The letter reads in part: “We intend to fly the 8 teams and officials into Mombasa on each match-day and depart Mombasa on the last flight each day.”

Mombasa County Sports minister Hazel Koitaba had earlier said the Ali Hassan Joho-led County government was going to secure accommodation in some of the tourists hotels.

Mwachia protested the FKF move, hurriedly convening a meeting of the local Cecafa organising committee to complain about what they felt was foul play in the sudden

change of events.

“We need to be told the logic behind this move because as far as we are concerned we were supposed to have all teams accommodated here for all the games,” he said.

And Koitaba who spoke on phone at the same time said she was headed for a meeting following the new twist in the Cecafa arrangement.

“Am heading for a meeting owing to the new developments in the Cecafa issue.We will talk at length after I meet Evans Mwachia,”she said.

The new arrangement wants the County government to provide security for teams and provide a suitable place for players to change and warm up ahead of any match.

“Four qualified teams will arrive in Mombasa on Saturday morning, play their matches in the afternoon and depart thereafter on the last flight back to Nairobi on Saturday night.The same will happen for the 4 teams playing on Sunday,”reads the letter.

Mwachia said they were meeting to deliberate on persuading the organisers in Nairobi to revert back to the initial arrangement. “We will be seeking the best way of persuading the organisers in the capital to stick to the initial arrangement.”

By PHILIP MBAJI, The Star

About 20 foreign players are expected to participate in the Uhuru Squash Open (USO), which starts on Wednesday at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club (DGC).

Players from Kenya, Uganda and Zambia arrived in the country on Tuesday to prepare for today’s opening. Forty four local players — 15 from Zanzibar and six from Arusha — will also participate.

Seven of the players are ladies, three of them from Zambia.

The three-day tournament is jointly organised by the Squash Tanzania Interim Committee, DGC and a number of local sponsors. The interim committee believes the tournament is an ideal curtain raiser towards enhancing its efforts to revive squash in the country.

“We have decided that USO will be a celebration for what we’ve achieved and look forward to next year, when the new committee will take over. We have planed this tournament to coincide with the Independence Day celebrations on December 9,” Kashmiri told the ‘Daily News’ yesterday.

He also explained that the tournament is not new but due to financial restraints it was not held for the past several years.

Kashmiri noted that there will be ‘attractive prize’ money as required by an international tournament.

“Without such an incentive foreign players are not encouraged to travel long distances to participate,” he explained.

The winner will receive USD 1000, runner-up USD 700, semi-finalists USD 400, quarter-finalists USD 250 and the winner of the Plate Event will also get USD 250.

The organisers have received financial assistance from Sumaria Group, Advent Construction Ltd, METL, Pepsi Cola and Alliance Insurance (AI), which has provided half of the total budget.

“We are very grateful to these sponsors and look forward to their continual support,” Kashmiri said.

The organisers want to fix the tournament so that it dovetailed with two others, the Parklands Open and the Kenya Open, which have just finished in Kenya.

Ugandan players played in the two Kenyan tournaments before coming here. This means the local USO will be the region’s last international tournament this year.

By IMAN MANI, Tanzania Daily News

Twenty-two local goalkeeper coaches are undergoing a week-long coaching course aimed at elevating their standards.

The coaches, who were drawn from first and second divisions as well as training centres, are attending the clinic which is facilitated by international football federation instructor Francis Fernandez from France.

Local football association, Ferwafa, said its doing its best to ensure that the coaches acquire skills that would help take Rwandan football to the next level.

Trainees include; Calliope Kabalisa (national team – U17), Radjab Muhabura (Espérance), Désiré Niyorurema (Police), Thomas Higiro (AS Kigali), Ibrahim Conjo (Mukura), Théogène Ndaruhutse (Amagaju), Issa Taranga (Marines), Gilbert Harerimana (Musanze), Claude Maniraguha (SC Kiyovu), Claude Manirakiza (Rayon Sports) and Moustafa Safari (AS Kigali, women).

Others are; James Rekeraho (ASPOR), Alexis Mugabo (Isonga), Guy Hamuri and Charles Hakizimana (Etincelles), Ramadan Nkunzingoma (Espoir), Khan Amiri (AS Muhanga), Evariste Muhawenimana (Police), Méthode Kamili (Gicumbi), Ramadan Kamungomba and Jean Claude Byiringiro (Marines) as well as Eugene Rwamanywa from Libre.

By Peter Kamasa ,The New Times

Under normal circumstances, there should be nothing to celebrate about a draw.

But such were the odds against Uganda marching into the Six Nations tournament in Singapore that ‘brilliant’ would be the ideal description of their performance in the 52-52 stalemate against Papua New Guinea yesterday.

Just 24 hours after shocking the world’s 28th ranked Republic of Ireland with a 54-41 victory at the Zhongshan Park, the She Cranes, who are the only unranked team in the tournament, surprised many after fighting back to hold 17th ranked Papua New Guinea.

And as had been for the victory in the first game, team captain Peace Proscovia was at the forefront of this remarkable result.

Proscovia netted 48 goals single-handedly against giants Papua New Guinea, who are the highest ranked side in the tournament.

At the start, Uganda panicked and Papua New Guinea took advantage of that, claiming a 35-21 lead at half time.

The 2008 tournament champions continued to rely on the experience gathered during their four years of participation in the event and took control of the third quarter.

But in the final quarter, Proscovia came to the fore.

The Uganda Christian University (UCU) student abandoned her Goal Shooting role (GS) and adopted the Goal Attacking role (GA) that allowed her to track the ball and score at will.

Martha Soigi contributed four goals as Uganda held the tournament title favourites to a draw. The result pushed Uganda to three points.

The She Cranes will need Proscovia at her best yet again when they encounter the undefeated hosts Singapore, who are ranked 21st in the world.

The home team is well known for its strong defense that comprises of Goal Defender (GD) Olivia Flanagan and Goal Keeper (GK) Aqilah Andin.

The two 6ft plus players will find their match in Proscovia, who is also Uganda’s tallest at 6ft plus as well.

Six Nations Cup

Uganda 52 Papua New Guinea 52

Today

Papua New Guinea v USA 10am

Ireland v Sri Lanka 12pm

Uganda v Singapore 2pm

By David Namunyala, The New Vision

The African champions are among eight new entrants into the FIVB’s Premier women’s tournament, in a move that saw the organisers enlist 28 countries.

The new development was announced during the World Grand Prix Council annual meeting at the FIVB headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland on Monday. Kenya are among four Africa countries making their maiden appearance with others being Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia.

Kenya are in Pool ‘P’ to ‘S’ which also has Algeria, Kazakhstan, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Bulgaria and Australia.

The 28 countries have been split across 19 pools with 12—defending champions and world No. 1 Brazil, USA, Japan, China, Russia, Italy,

Serbia, the Dominican Republic, Germany, Korea, Turkey and Thailand —playing in Pools A to I while eight—Poland, Peru, Puerto Rico, The

Netherlands, Argentina, Canada, Cuba and Belgium— are in Pool J to O. Kenya Volleyball Federation ((KVF) president Waithaka Kioni hailed the move by the FIVB to expand their scope and especially naming Kenya among the beneficiaries.

“I got a call from FIVB yesterday evening (Monday) informing me of the expansion and that Kenya is one of the four African countries,” said

Kioni. “It is something good for this country because it will give our players a chance to play against top players in the world.”

“We have had a problem with exposing our players to such international activities and maybe this is our time.”

“We are now waiting for the FIVB to give us the full details of our inclusion and the financial implication since if they don’t cater for the expenses, I think will have some problems,” added Kioni.

The inclusion of the eight teams was based on world ranking with the exceptions of Belgium and Cuba, who had qualified via continental qualification tournaments, and Australia who participate as part of the Oceania development program. The 2014 Grand Prix will start on July 25 with Pools J to O and Pools P to S in action. Pools A to I will begin proceedings a week later on August 1.

Pools A to I will play round robin across three weeks of preliminary round action before the Finals from August 20 to 24 where six teams—the four best in the Preliminary Round ranking, the Finals host and the winner of the Final Four from Pools J to O – will feature.

Pools J to O will also contest three weeks of Preliminary Round action before the Final Four – featuring the three best from the Preliminary Round ranking and the host of the Final Four—takes place from August 15 to 17.

The last ranked team after the preliminary round from Pools A to I could be relegated if the winner of Pools J to O can meet the promotion requirements set by the FIVB.

Pools P to S will feature two weeks of Preliminary round action before four teams will participate in the Final Four from August 15 to 17, which will include the three best from the Preliminary Round ranking and the host of the Final Four.

Pools P to S will feature two weeks of Preliminary round action before four teams will participate in the Final Four from August 15 to 17, which will include the winner of each pool, the host and the best second placed team.

By MUIGAI KIGURU, The Star

National Sports Council (NSC) secretary general Henry Lihaya welcomed visiting teams when opening the Uhuru Squash Open (USO) at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana club.

Rajab Simai Rajab from Zanzibar had to stretch to return a shot by Lawrence Chishimba from Zambia in Court Number Five at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club (DGC) Uhuru Squash Open Wednesday morning.

He assured teams from Zambia, Kenya and Uganda that although they are more familiar with the game, Tanzania will provide a suitable challenge for them.

He also expressed his pleasure to hear that the Interim Squash Tanzania (IST) team is not only providing squash classes for local children here in Dar es Salaam, but has plans of taking these programmes to up-country regions soon.

Before going into one of the two glass-back courts to official launch the tournament, Lihaya expressed his gratitude to the event’s sponsors.

Squash Tanzania interim secretary Marwa Busigara reminded the players that the two glass-back and four closedback courts will all be used throughout the tournament simultaneously.

Busigara, who is also the tournament’s referee, confirmed that they are starting with teams from Zambia, Kenya and Uganda, together with those from Arusha and Zambia.

After the first round, the winners proceeded to the third round yesterday evening and the fourth round will be held tomorrow morning to be followed by the quarter-finals in the evening.

The semi-finals will be played on Friday mornings, with the final scheduled for the evening.

Busigara was relieved that the tournament had started. “So far so good, bearing in mind the natural hiccups we had arranging referees and starting the actual first matches, after the official launch of the tournament. I’m happy with the progress so far,” he said.

By IMAN MANI, Tanzania Daily News

After a brilliant performance in last month’s Tour du Rwanda, promising rider Valens Ndayisenga registered a fourth place finish in the individual time trial of the men’s elite U-23 category at the ongoing Africa cycling continental championship, which was  held in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt.

Ndayisenga pops the champagne upon winning the Second Stage of the 2013 Tour of Rwanda in Musanze last month. The New Times/Courtesy

The 19-year-old also came in seventh position in the senior category of the men’s individual time trial to become the best performing Rwandan so far at the competition in this discipline.

On Tuesday, he finished in seventh position at the U-23 Time Trials at the Africa continental championships in Egypt and was followed by another Rwandan Janvier Hadi who ended in tenth position.

The performances of Ndayisenga and Jean Bosco Nsengiyumva have seen them earn an invitation from the International Cycling Union (UCI) for high level training in the World Cycling Center (WCC) in Aigle, Switzerland next year.

In the Tour du Rwanda, Ndayisenga, a member of Team Rwanda Akagera, made  history  after  winning  the second  stage in Tour of Rwanda from Rwamagana-Musanze, in total of 151.9km.

While Nsengiyumva completed the Tour of Rwanda in sixth position as the best Rwandan rider and he will also joined Ndayisenga.

By Peter Kamasa,The New Times

Argemtina-born volleyball coach Raul Lozano conducted his first training session with national women’s volleyball team at the Nyayo National Stadium yesterday ahead of the final round of World Championship slated for next year.

Lozano, was seconded to Kenya by Federation of International Volleyball Board (FIVB) to impart his expertise to the national women’s team ahead of the next year’s championship.

The Argentine boasts good record, having propelled Poland to a podium finish in the 2009 European Championship and guiding Germany to eighth position during the World Championship. The 57-year-old comes at time when the home side is enjoying top form—having successful won the second round qualifiers ahead regional rivals Egypt, Uganda and Tanzania. Speaking after the afternoon training, Lozano said the Kenya team has what it takes to qualify for the World Championship. He said: “The girls are physically fit and they have shown the urge to learn. Basically, what they need is to improve on the technical aspect of the game.”

“I saw some of the players play during the World Club Championship in Zurich and others during the U-23 championship in Mexico. I have also seen the video footage and I can say they have power and fighting spirit,” he noted.

Lozano acknowledged Kenya’s coach David Lunga’ho as a good coach and hinted that they intend to share ideas and learning from one another in a bid to propel the team to the World Championship. “My aim is to see Kenya qualify for the World tourney and it will be befitting to see them pull surprises against some of the volleyball powerhouses.”

By AGNES MAKHANDIA, The Star

Five teams have confirmed participation in the 34th Gurunanak Hockey Tournament opening at the Popatlal Secondary School group in Tanga on Saturday.

The three-day championship is organized by the Tanga Region Hockey Association (TRHA) and is sponsored by the Sikh community of Tanga.

Tanzania Hockey Association (THA) secretary Kaushik Doshi said yesterday all is set for the tournament that will wind up at the climax of the 52nd Independence anniversary celebrations on Monday.

He said the five teams have been placed in two pools. Group A comprises Magereza of Dar es Salaam, Moshi Khalsa B and hosts El Hilal. Group B consists of two teams – Dar es Salaam Khalsa A and Moshi Khalsa A.

“El Hilal and Magereza will set the trend when they face each other in the opening match at Popatlal Secondary School at 8.00am on Saturday, Doshi said.

Magereza will be in action again when they play Moshi Khalsa B in the second match at the same venue at 4.30pm. El Hilal’s second game is against Moshi Khalsa B at 7.30am on Sunday. It will be followed by a clash between Dar es Salaam Khalsa B and Moshi Khalsa A at 9.00am.

The semi-finals will take place on Sunday afternoon with Group A winners facing Group B runners-up at 3.00pm and Group B winners facing Group A runners-up at 4.30pm. The final will be held at the Popatlal Secondary School group at 9.00am.

Source Tanzania Daily News

Only one Tanzanian, Marwa Busigara, made it through to the quarter-finals of the Alliance Insurance Uhuru Squash Open at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club (DGC).

Busigara, however, had to win against the Zambian Number One Seed, Manda Chilambwe in the evening to make it into the semi-finals this (Friday) morning.

Busigara told the ‘Daily News’ he had ‘mixed feelings’ being the only local boy to have made it to that level but he was happy to see that as the host country, Tanzania still had a representative in the tournament. “However, I’m discouraged because this tournament seems to have given us a wake-up call.

Evidently we need to pull-up our standard of squash in order to be able to compete with these guys. I will do my best when I meet the Zambian Number One in the evening, but it will be an up-hill battle,” he admitted.

He said there must be more competitions and some changes are needed concerning the local approach to the game. “Players really need to work on their lower and upper body, so as to build-up stamina. You see squash is the only game where you need to be fit to play it.

You don’t play it to be fit,” said Busigara, who apart from being the Interim Secretary of Squash Tanzania, is also the tournament’s referee. He was pleased to see that they had reached this stage in the tournament, which started on Wednesday morning successfully.

In the ladies games, which started yesterday afternoon, there were signs that at least one local girl would get through to the semi-finals this morning. No Ugandans had gone through to yesterday’s quarter-finals.

That means Busigara, one Kenyan and six Zambians played in the quarter-finals. The winners will compete in the semifinals this morning and the final will take place in the evening.

By IMAN MANI, Tanzania Daily News

Over 100 kids under the age of 14 are undergoing intensive training as part of developing volleyball at the grassroots level by the Rwanda Volleyball Federation.

The training started on November, 25 and ends on December 7.

It is being held in different schools around the country according to the Technical Director of Rwanda Volleyball federation, Gertrude Kubwimana.

Kubwimana added that the federation has good programmes aimed at developing the game from the grassroots. “I think the game is developing slowly but surely and if we can continue with what we’re doing, I believe the future looks bright,” she noted.

By Peter Kamasa,The New Times

Sports fraternity in Tanzania is mourning former South Africa President Nelson Mandela, who died aged 95 on Thursday, saying the world has lost a true sportsman who had inspired everyone to break barriers and reach for the impossible.

Former South Africa President, Nelson Mandela, talks to members of the Tanzania Olympic contingent, when he paid a visit to the team’s camp in Sydney, Australia ahead of the 2000 Olympic Games. Right is former Secretary General of the Tanzania Olympic Commiitee (TOC) Secretary General, the late Erasto Zambi (right) , team doctor Mwanandi Mwankemwa (third left) and Suleiman Nyambui (second left).

Athletics Tanzania (AT) Secretary General, Suleiman Nyambui said Mandela was always a great friend of the Tanzania Olympic team as demonstrated by his visit to the team’s camp in 2000 Olympics Games in Sydney, Australia.

“We were really pleased to see him in our camp and his visit really motivated us, only that we were unlucky and could not pick a medal,” said Nyambui, who at that time was the athletics team head coach.

He said Mandela’s visit at the Team Tanzania camp meant a lot to them and to Tanzania in general as it once again signified the appreciation of South Africans to what Tanzania did in the struggle for liberation in South Africa.

Nyambui added,” We’ve lost a very important person in Mandela…he was not only a boxer but a true sportsman, who effectively used sports to unite the people of South Africa, Africa and the world in general.

Nyambui recalled Mandela quotation, in which he once said that “Sport has the power to change the world…it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does.

It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers.”

The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) Acting General Secretary, Boniface Wambura said in a statement yesterday that they have received with sadness news on the passing away of Mandela.

Wambura described Mandela as a true member of football family following his great contribution in the development of the game in his native South Africa, the continent and the world at large.

“Mandela’s death is a big blow to the football family in the world. He’ll be remembered for his contribution to a successful South Africa hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 1996 and 2010 World Cup finals, which were held for the first time ever in Africa,” said Wambura.

The TFF has sent message of condolence to the President of the South Africa Football Association (SAFA), Danny Jordan and the people of South Africa, calling them to remain calm during this difficult time.

More tribute poured in from the Boxing Federation of Tanzania (BFT), Tanzania Cricket Association and Dar Leopards Rugby club. BFT Secretary General, Makore Mashaga said Mandela was a great boxer and never used his boxing strength and ability to intimidate others, instead he used it to preach peace and harmony.

“This only proves that being a boxer does not necessarily mean that one is a hooligan or a person of violent conduct. Mandela proved to the whole world that boxing is a respectable sport a game of integrity and that boxing can provide great leaders,” said Mashaga.

“It’s so sad that we’ve lost a great boxer, a great sportsman and visionary leader,” mourned Mashaga. Chairman of the Dar Leopards rugby team, Philipi Tynst said they were clearly saddened by Mandela’s death and remembers him for using the values of rugby as a way to promote reconciliation.

It should be remembered that Mandela was instrumental in retaining the Springbok as the emblem for South Africa national rugby team, the utmost objective being to unite the people of South Africa.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner won over many whites when he donned the jersey of South Africa’s national rugby team – once a symbol of white supremacy – at the rugby World Cup final in Johannesburg’s Ellis Park stadium in 1995.

It ended up with South Africa winning the ruby World Cup. Mandela’s last major appearance on the global stage came at the 2010 World Cup finals, the first to be hosted on African soil, when he attended the final in Soweto to a thunderous ovation from the 90,000 strong crowd.

By NASONGELYA KILYINGA, Tanzania Daily News

Rwandan rider, Janvier Hadi defied odds to claim a bronze medal in the African Continental Championships in the men’s elite U-23 category which climaxed on Thursday in Sharm El Sheikh Egypt.

Janvier Hadi

The 22-year-old rider came one minute and 33 minutes behind Eritrean duo of Okubamariam Tesfam and Kudus Merhawi who clocked 3:41:06 over a distance of 155km to win the event.

In the general classification, Eritrean duo of Tesfam and Kudus as well as Craven Dan of Nambia were tied after clocking 3:41:06 respectively.

Algeria’s Benyoucef Abdellah came one minute behind the winners while Hadi finished fifth after one minute and 33 seconds with Tunisian Ben Naser Hassen finishing a minute and 43 seconds behind.

Other Rwandans; Adrien Niyonshuti finished 19th; Hategeka Gasore ranked 29; Abraham Ruhumuriza ranked 30; Bonaventure Uwizeyimana and Valens Ndayisenga finished in 34th and 38th position, all coming five minutes and 36 seconds behind the winner.

Hadi’s brilliant performance follows team mate Valens Ndayisenga who finished in fourth position in the individual time trial of the men’s elite U-23 category on Tuesday.

Steadily rising into a household name, Ndayisenga also crossed the line in seventh position in the senior category of the men’s individual time trial.

U23 General Classification
1. Okubamariam Tesfam (Eritrea) 3:41:06
2. Kudus Merhawi (Eritrea) 3:41:06
3. Hadi Janvier (Rwanda) +1:33

Full General Classification
1. Okubamariam Tesfam (Eritrea) 3:41:06
2. Craven Dan (Namibia) 3:41:06
3. Kudus Merhawi (Eritrea) 3:41:06
4. Benyoucef Abdellah (Algeria) +1:00
5. Janvier Hadi (Rwanda) +1:33
6. Ben Naser Hassen (Tunisia) +1:43

Other Rwandans
19. Adrien Niyonshuti (Rwanda) +5:36
29. Hategeka Gasore (Rwanda) +5:36
30. Abraham Ruhumuriza (Rwanda) +5:36
34. Bonaventure Uwizeyimana (Rwanda) +5:36
38. Valens Ndayisenga (Rwanda) +5:36

By Peter Kamasa,The New Times

Rwanda Goalball national team battles Egypt in the first semi final of the Africa Goalball championships due today at Moi Sports Complex in Kasarani Kenya. Rwanda mounted a brilliant start in the round robin matches winning twice and conceding twice too.

They beat hosts Kenya 14-4; lost 0-10 to favourites Egypt before bouncing back to book straights against Morocco and Ghana 15-14 and 14-4 respectively. They lost the final match 10-0 against Algeria. Rwanda has a mountain to climb as they now face an Egyptian side which has beaten them before a few days back.

Should Rwanda win this crucial last four clash, they will face the winner between Algeria and Morocco in Sunday’s final.

Among nine teams who were invited for the tournament, six nations namely host Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, Morocco, Algeria and Egypt managed to honour the event.

Goalball is a game for people with visual impairment; the game is played by two teams of three players each. Players are all blindfolded. The two finalists will represent Africa at the World Goalball Championships scheduled to take place in Finland in June, 2014.

By Peter Kamasa,The New Times

The 2013 Africa Volleyball Congress which starts today at Kigali Serena Hotel has attracted 90 officials from different continental volleyball federations, CAVB and FIVB respectively.

The two-day event will be presided over by the International Volleyball Federation President Brazilian, Dr. Ary S. Graça.

The Rwanda Volleyball Federation chairman Gustave Nkurunziza told Saturday Sports yesterday  that the conference  is another opportunity for Rwanda to prove that its more than capable to host international events.

“In this Congress, we are set to discuss with heads of other volleyball federations on how we can enhance partnerships with a view of developing the game.”

Ahead of the conference Graça visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial centre yesterday.

“I am really sorry for Rwandans because what happened was very appalling. I have never seen something like this before. I am sorry for Rwanda but again am pleased that Rwandans managed to get themselves out of this situation to gain peace again,” he said. Referring to the spirit of sportsmanship Graca added, “We are the same people and no one should separate us, we need to be sportsmen and women and I believe Rwanda will never return to this again.  Let’s play volleyball and enjoy not fighting each other.”

This is the third time that Rwandan Volleyball federation is hosting an international event.

Rwanda and Kenya joined Egypt to the qualifier for the final round slated for next year in January and February.

By Peter Kamasa,The New Times

Rwandan riders, Janvier Hadi and Valens Ndayisenga have been shortlisted among 24 potential cyclists nominated for the second edition of the 2013 Africa Cyclist of the year award.

In a press statement, organisers of the award, who are the organisers of the La Tropicale Amissa Bongo, nominated 24 riders for the vote of the African Cyclist of the Year.

The winner will be decided by a jury chaired by Bernard Hinault with a prestigious

Member: Chris Froome who won this year’s Tour du France.

Other favourite riders nominated for the award include; Eritrea trio of Daniel Teklehaimanot, Metkel Eyob, Kudus Merhawi, Moroccan pair of Essaid Abelouache and Adil Jelloul, and South African duo of Louis Meintjes and Dylan Girdlestone.

Others are Barbari Adil (Algeria), Natnael Berhane (Eritrea), Rafaa Chtioui (Tunisia), Issiaka Cisse (Ivory Coast, Meksen Debesay (Eritrea), Metkel Eyob (Eritrea), Tsgabu Grmay (Ethiopia), Soufian Haddi (Morocco), Abdelbaset Hannachi (Algeria), Daryl Impey (South Africa), Janse Van Rensburg Reinhardt (South Africa), Lagab Azzedine (Algeria), Abdoul Aziz Nikiema (Burkina Faso), and Yves Ngue Ngock (Cameroon).

By Bonnie Mugabe,The New Times