The top leadership of the APR Football Club has investigated alleged misconduct of senior technical officials, including head coach and acting assistant, following the team’s dismal performance at the just-concluded East African Community military games in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

The development was confirmed yesterday by APR chairman Brig. Gen. Alex Kagame, who however denied that the alleged row between Andreas Spier and the goalkeeping coach Ibrahim Mugisha (who stood in as assistant coach during the August 5-17 tournament) had caused disunity in the team.

Sources say disagreements between the two men escalated when they openly exchanged words on the touchline during the APR-Ulinzi game which the Kenyan military side eventually won 4-1.

APR also lost to eventual runners-up Prisons of Tanzania, finishing the games in third, only ahead of Uganda’s and Burundi’s representatives.

“After assessing the issue very carefully and talking to everyone concerned, we are going to take disciplinary measures against whoever caused or fueled what happened in Nairobi; however, I can assure you that there is no rift within the team,” Gen. Kagame told Times Sport.

It is alleged that Spier ignored advice from his Ugandan assistant, something that rubbed the latter the wrong way.

However, Mugisha declined to comment when contacted yesterday, referring The New Times to the club’s top leadership. Efforts to speak to Spier were also futile as he did not return our repeated calls.

By Bonnie Mugabe, The New Times

Rwanda’s U-21 national volleyball team will be looking for a clear win when they take on USA in the FIVB World Championships for Men in Turkey today.

Paul Bitok’s team has been unstoppable in the warm-up games, winning all games against Turkish junior clubs as they prepared to compete on the world stage for the first time in the junior category.

“Our preparations were good as we played and won all our warm-up matches against good teams here (in Turkey). Although we will start off against one of the title favourites, we are ready for the challenge,” the Kenyan coach told Times Sport from Istanbul yesterday.

He added, “My team has not played at such a big stage before, it is a big challenge for all of us, but  we are looking forward to the games with much interest.”

The junior team won their final warm-up match against Arkas 3-1 (21-25, 25-20, 25-14 and 25-20) on yesterday.

The tournament, which takes place every two years, provides a platform for the next generation of stars to showcase their skills on the international stage and potentially take the big step into the senior ranks.

It is the first time that Turkey will host the Men’s Under 21 World Championships; the country has hosted the Women’s U20 World Championship in 2005 and the Girls’ U18 World Championship in 2011.

By Peter Kamasa, The New Times

Oshwal Academy Nairobi and Kivaywa Boys High School are Kenya’s girls and boys badmintonrepresentatives in the East African School Games to be held in Lira, Uganda next week.

The games run from Sunday to September 1. Oshwal, with a girls team, and Kivaywa (boys) will be eyeing to make history as the first ever winners in the discipline, which is making its debut.

Oshwal qualified after beating Butere Girls 3-2 that also saw them win their fifth national title in as many years in Embu.

By winning the national titles the teams also got tickets to the Africa Schools Championships to be held in Pretoria, South Africa later in the year.

The girl’s team comprises of captain Deepali Kotecha, Hetvi Haria, Dhruvi Shah, Darshni Kotecha and Khushboo Kotecha. The team is under Coach Martin Kanyange who is confident that they will do well in Uganda.

“It is the first badminton tournament in the school games and our first attempt. We intend to win and be the first to have this title to our name,” said Kanyange.

Speaking about the potential opposition in the regional games, Kanyange said: “We expect tough competition especially from Ugandans but we have prepared well and we expect to excel.”

Kivaywa Boys qualified after a 3-2 win over Kisumu Senior School at the national level also in Embu.

The team is made up of captain Sammy Sikoyo, Patrick Obwate, Edwin Akwanyi, Jackson Misiko, Martin Ooko and Calvin Linani. The team is coached by George Opunga who believes they will do well in the competition.

“We have been training intensely and the boys are in good form. We hope to win this title, the boys are very confident that we will finish in the medal bracket,” said Opunga.

The two teams from Kenya will be up against teams from Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and hosts Uganda.

They will play their round robin matches on Monday targeting to accumulate points. The teams left for Uganda yesterday and will use the event as preparation for the Africa schools championships.

By ELIZABETH MBURUGU, The Standard

Rwanda’s captain Aimable Mutuyimana tries to score against US’s Thomas Jaeschke and Driss Guessous block yesterday

Yesterday
Rwanda                1-3          USA
Today
Rwanda                vs            Canada
Serbia                   vs            USA

RWANDA’S U-21 national volleyball team got its FIVB World Championships campaign off to a bad start after losing their Group C opening match against US on Thursday at Ataturk Hall in Izmir, Turkey.

Debutants Rwanda lost 3-1 in favour of the US, who are ranked fourth in the world, with 11-25, 18-25, 29-27 and 14-25 results in one hour and 31 minutes.

Coach Paul Bitok’s side, which was clinical in five warm-up matches, was put in their place mainly thanks to poor reception against the Americans’ strong serves.

Rwanda lost the first two sets before improving to make 1-2 after winning the third set 27-29. But then they lost the fourth 14-25.

Captain Aimable Mutuyimana was Rwanda’s top scorer converting 16 points, while Fred Musoni and Nelson Murangwa converted nine points each.

In the same group, African champions Tunisia were due to take on Canada by last evening.

Rwanda return to action on Friday against Tunisia before taking on Canada on Saturday and Serbia on Monday.

The tournament, which takes place every two years, provides a platform for the next generation of stars to showcase their skills on the international stage and potentially take a big step into elite volleyball ranks.

Twenty teams from across the world are battling it out for glory in Turkey. Most of the world powerhouses are taking part, including the biggest two rivals Russia and Brazil.

Serbia, whose squad includes seven players from their U-19 side that won the Youth World Championship in Argentina two years ago, is also participating in the championships.

By Bonnie Mugabe, The New Times

Dar es Salaam residents and the surrounding areas will come together tomorrow at Posta Grounds for physical activities aimed at improving their health.

This campaign is organised by the Tanzania Breweries Limited (TBL) through Vitamalt Plus drink, whose Brand Manager Consolata Adam said they decided to organise the bonanza to assemble together all fitness men and women who were practising at different fitness centres.

She said the bonanza is expected to begin at 6.00am tomorrow morning under international trainer Saas Sangandele, saying further that the event was open to all men, women as well as children Consolata added that the main objective of the bonanza is to encourage communities to recognize the importance of doing exercises so as to build better health and also foster relations among people.

TBL Communications and Relations Manager Edith Mushi said apart from physical activities, there will be a series of other entertainment from African Stars Band ‘Twanga Pepeta’, Hip hop artist Roma Mkatoliki and others for the entire period of the festival.

“This is a family day, so we would like to inform city residents and sportsmen and women across the country to come early with their families tomorrow (Saturday), but we would also like to caution them not to come with drinks because they will be a plenty there,” she said.

By FADHILI AKIDA, Tanzania Daily News

Mbeya Regional Commissioner (RC), Abbas Kandoro will officially open the Tanzania Mainland First Division Netball League at the Sokoine Memorial Stadium in Mbeya on Sunday.

Mbeya Regional Commissioner, Abbas Kandoro

Tanzania Amateur Netball Association (CHANETA) chairperson Anna Kibira said yesterday that 14 teams are expected to take part in the tournament that is being held in Mbeya for the second consecutive year.

She named the teams as defending champions Filbert Bayi Foundation of Kibaha in Coast Region, JKT Mbweni, JKT Ruvu, Jeshi Stars and CMTU of Dar es Salaam. Others are Tumbaku and Prisons of Morogoro, Tamisemi Dodoma, Police Mwanza, Police Arusha, Immigration Dar es Salaam, RAS Lindi, Amambe and Police of Mbeya.

“Three teams – Mapinduzi of Dodoma, Police Morogoro, Police and Tumaini of Dar es Salaam – have withdrawn from the competition which ends on September 7 this year,” said Kibira. Bandari of Dar es Salaam and Temeke Queens did not confirm participation,” she added.

Kibira said all teams are required to report at the Sokoine Memorial Stadium this morning to be briefed on the tournament. She added the competition will take off tomorrow morning but the afternoon has been reserved for the Vodacom Premier League match between newly promoted Mbeya City SC and Kagera Sugar to be held at the same venue.

Meanwhile, Mbeya Regional Netball Association chairperson Mary King’ong’o said over the phone from Mbeya that Filbert Bayi Foundation and Police Arusha had already arrived there by on Thursday.

“CHANETA Executive Committee members, umpires and other officials left Dar es Salaam this morning (yesterday) and we expect them to be here in the afternoon,” she said.

King’ong’o, however, complained that some people have not fulfilled their promise to support the league financially. “Several institutions and individuals pledged before Deputy Minister for Education and Vocational Training Phillipo Mulugo to bankroll the tournament last year,” she said.

“But so far only NSSF (National Social Security Fund) and Mzumbe University have submitted their contributions and the rest have refused to respond in kind,” she added.

Meanwhile, CHANETA has failed to send an official to the International Netball Federation (INF) General Assembly which started in Glasgow, Scotland yesterday. The association’s vicechairperson,

Zainabu Mbiro, was supposed to represent CHANETA at the meeting but could not get visa in time. The assembly runs concurrently with the Under-21 World Championship. The city will also host next year’s Commonwealth Games.

Source Tanzania Daily News

Debutants Rwanda lost their second match in a row at the ongoing FIVB World Junior Championships following a 3-0 humiliation by African champions Tunisia on Friday at Ataturk Sports Hall in Izmir, Turkey.

Paul Bitok’s team lost in straight sets 25-12; 25-15 and 25-18. It was the second defeat in as many matches following the opening day loss to USA on Thursday.

Tunisia dominated the first set taking a 6-0 lead before Rwanda won three points to make it 7-3 but the North Africans extended the lead to 13-7, before long it was 16-7, and thanks to poor reception and defending, the African champions made it 17-8, 20-9, 22-10 and eventually won the set 25-12.

Bitok’s side continued to make mistakes which cost them the second set.  Skipper Aimable Mutuyimana, Bonnie Mutabazi and Fred Musoni tried to push on but Rwanda looked as though they still have a lot to learn ahead of taking part in the big competitions.

In second set Rwanda tried their best at 3-3, 5-4, 7-5, 8-6 before Tunisia dominated 15-9, 18-11, 20, 13, and 25-15 and the third set was not different.

Again Rwanda started well at 3-2, 5-5, before Tunisia took a 10-8 lead and soon it was 12-9, 15-11, 18-14, 21-16, 23-17, 24-18 and 25-18.

Rwanda will play the third match against Canada on today before finishing their group stage against Serbia on Monday.

By Peter Kamasa, The New Times

A total of 16 teams in Dar es Salaam Region, have confirmed to take part in the Inter-parastatal and non-parastatal Sports Federation of Tanzania, SHIMMUTA Bonanza today.

The bonanza will be held at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) playing grounds starting 6 hours to 18 hours. According to SHIMMUTA Secretary General, Award Safari, the confirmed teams are Tanzania Telecommunications Company Limited (TTCL), College of Business Education (CBE), Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT), Ardhi University, University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF) and Open University of Tanzania (OUT). Others are Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA), Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) and Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS).

The list also has Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), Stanbic Bank, Muhimbili University for Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), Institute of Finance Management (IFM) and Fastjet.

Safari said games to be featured during the bonanza include football, netball, sack racing, tug-of-war, draft, playing cards, Bao, spoon lemon run and eating apple. “All teams are requested to arrive at venue before 6 hours to enable the games starts early,” said Safari.

Source Tanzania Daily News

This year’s ‘Tour of Rwanda cycling tournament will run from November 17 to 24, the organizers Rwanda Cycling Federation have confirmed.

Aimable Bayingana

According to the federation president, Aimable Bayingana, preparations for the UCI sanctioned race are already underway and promises this that year’s competition will be better than the previous editions.

“We have reached very far in preparing for this year’s Tour du Rwanda and we hope it will be better organized than the previous editions,” he told Sunday Sport recently.

The official says the competition will be more competitive owing to the fact that they expect participants from 16 countries including France, Belgium), USA and Canada) as well a host of African countries like South Africa, Eritrea, Morocco, Uganda and Kenya among others.

Last year, Adrien Niyonshuti was the only Rwandan in the top ten, he finished tenth in the 894.8km race that was dominated by South African riders and won by South African Lill Darren. No Rwandan has ever won it ever since it became an international tour in 2006.

Bayingana added, “There will be a different routing compared to previous editions, and cyclists will reach other rural districts that were not part of the last editions’ routings like Kirehe in the East Province and Nyamagabe in the Southern Province.”

This year, the organizers have added another local team (Muhabura) to two usual Rwandan teams, which are; Kalisimbi and Akagera.

The sponsors for this year’s Tour du Rwanda will include; the Ministry of Sports and Culture, Rwanda Development Board (RDB), COGEBANK, Inyange Industries and Skol beer.

By Richard Bishumba, The New Times

Rwanda junior volleyball national team lost their third game against Canada in Pool C match of FIVB Men’s U21 World Championship in the Turkish city of Izmir on Saturday.

Paul Bitok

The American team started the match more organized in both defense as well as attack and the 3-0 score line did not flatter them against the inexperienced Paul Bitok’s side, which is only making their debut appearance at the highest level of the competition.

Following defeats in the opening two matches against USA and Tunisia, Bitok’s young troops at least increased the points they won in first set 25-17.

In second set, Rwanda did well at 3-3, 4-5, 6-6, 6-7, 8-7, 10-9, 11-10 and the African team continued to lead until 16-15, 17-15, 20-17, 22-19, 23-23, 25-25 before Canada upped their game to take the set 27-25.

Third set Rwanda took a lead with and look like will have the set in the match but it was not easy for the debutants, who led 2-2, 3-3, 4-3, 5-3, 6-3, 7-3, 8-3, 11-8, 12-9, 14-11, 16-12, 16-14, 16-15, 20-20, 21-21, 22-21, 22-22, and Canada only led at 23-22, 24-22 and eventually sealed the set and the match 25-22.

The third consecutive defeat means that Rwanda cannot reached the knockout stage of the competition but only fight for final ranking.

By Peter Kamasa, The New Times

Warm-up match
Saturday
Rwanda U-20  1-3  Glasse

The under-20 national team started their preparations for the 2013 Francophone Games with a 3-1 loss to French amateur side Racing Club Grasse on Saturday in Antibes, Nice, France.

APR youngster Maxime Sekamana scored the opening goal for the Junior Wasps, who held onto the lead until head coach Richard Tardy made several changes to give all the players a chance to feature. Grasse benefited from defensive errors to score three goals in the last five minutes.

The Under-20 team will take on Rocheville, another French amateur side on Wednesday before winding up their preparations against Morocco U-20 national team on September 2.

Rwanda, which will be making their debut in the football competition, was drawn in Group D, along with the hosts France, Congo Brazzaville and Canada.

Group A is made up of Cote d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of Congo and Niger; Group B has Gabon, Senegal, Haiti, and Lebanon; while Cameroon, Morocco, Burkina Faso and Chad will battle it out in Group C.

By Bonnie Mugabe,The New Times

FIVB U21 World Champs
Pool C
Monday
Rwanda                vs            Serbia

Rwanda will play their last game in Pool C against Serbia, who have qualified for the next round in the ongoing FIVB U-21 World Championships today in the Turkish city of Izmir.

While debutants, Rwanda, have lost all their three matches prior to today’s fixture, their opponents, Serbia, who won the 2011 World Youth Championships, have won all their games.

Rwanda’s head coach Paul Bitok said, “We are ready to fight again and try to surprise the 2011 world youth champions. We shall never give up despite losing the first three games.”

Bitok’s young troops have already lost with identical 3-0 score lines to USA, Tunisia and Canada, which makes today’s clash with the European heavyweight, Serbia an uphill task.

Rwanda captain Aimable Mututimana said, “We are improving our performance with each game we play at this championship.”

By Peter Kamasa,The New Times

Rwanda has lost all their group matches after going down 3-0 against Serbia yesterday in the ongoing FIVB U-21 World Championships in the Turkish city of Izmir.

Paul Bitok’s team lost the first set 13-25, second set 20-25, and third 20-25 to the European side, who have qualified for the next round.

Like in the first three matches, Rwanda started well and matched their European opponents point by point before losing it 25-13.

It was a similar story in the second set which at one point Rwanda led 11-11, 14 – 13, 15- 14 and  16-15, until Serbia recovered to level 17-17 and took the lead 18-17, 19-18, 20-18, 21-18, 22-19, 23-20, 24-20, eventually sealing the set 25-20.

The third set was different as Rwanda started badly at 5 – 8, 7-9 before catching up to make it 12 -10, but the European side showed their superiority to take the lead 14-12, 15-13, 16-14, 18-16, 22-17, 24-19 and the set 25-20.

Prior to yesterday, Rwanda had already lost with an identical 3-0 score lines to USA, Tunisia and Canada, which means the East African country will play in the ranking matches that get underway on Wednesday.

By Peter Kamasa,The New Times

Falcon Golf and Country Club, a new golf club in Rwanda, is set to be officially launched this Saturday with a one-day Pro-Am tournament which is expected to attract some of the top golfers in the region.

The nine-hole course, located at Lake Muhazi, Kayonza District in the Eastern Province, is the second golf course in the country after the Kigali Golf Club at Nyarutarama in the City of Kigali.

According to the Managing Director and partner of Falcon Properties Rwanda Ltd, Innocent Rutamu, the project, which, besides the golf course, will also be offering all sorts of entertainment, leisure fishing, picnic, kids entertainment and wedding, has until this stage, cost an estimated Rwf850million.

He said, “Falcon golf club brings the sport (golf) closer to rural people of this area, who cannot afford to come to Kigali where we had the only course in the country before.”

The official, himself an active golfer, noted that the new course comes in handy especially at a time when countries all over the world are preparing for the inaugural participation in the Olympic golf at the 2016 Rio Games.

On Saturday, while the amateur players will be vying for the winner’s trophy, the professionals will be battling for the US$5,000 total cash prize.

“Initially, the idea was to have bigger prize money for the pros but Airtel, who were supposed to be our main sponsors, informed us at the last minute that they have issues with their budget,” Rutamu told Times Sport.

The owners of Falcon Golf and Country Club, who happen to be the proprietors of Eagle of the Lake, have plans to build an 18-hole championship course on the same property.

By Hamza Nkuutu,The New Times

President Jakaya Kikwete will grace a “Title Night in Tanzania” that will witness high profile boxing bouts at the Diamond Jubilee Hall in Dar es Salaam on Friday.

President Jakaya Kikwete

On that night one of Africa’s most celebrated boxers and an up and coming brawling fighter from the USA will square off to decide the new World Boxing Federation (WBF) super middleweight world champion.

“We are expecting President Jakaya Kikwete to be the guest of honour on the event with Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports Fenella Mukangara and other government officials who have confirmed their attendance,” one of the organizers said on Monday.

Francis Cheka, the current IBF Continental Africa champion, is the number one ranked super middleweight in Tanzania. The 5′ 10 1/2″ Cheka will take his 28-7 record with 16 KOs into the WBF world title fight against Phil “The Drill” Williams, who hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota, US, and has compiled an impressive 12-5 record with 11 KOs.

The 5′ 11″ Williams will be fighting his first professional bout outside the US. The scheduled 12-round Cheka-Williams WBF super middleweight world title fight is the main event at “Title Night in Tanzania.”

The card includes four other exciting fights featuring many of Tanzania’s top-ranked boxers looking to dominate in their respective weight classes and move up in the international rankings.

Prior to the main event, another WBF title fight will also be at stake when Mada Maugo (15-9, 11 KOs), rated number three super middleweight in Tanzania, takes on Thomas Mashali (8-1, 5 KOs) rated number one middleweight in Tanzania, for the WBF super middleweight Africa title championship.

The scheduled 12-round Maugo-Mashali bout will be a heated contest because both fighters lost earlier to Cheka this year and want to redeem their honour in the ring. Mashali lost by TKO in 10 rounds to Cheka two months ago while Maugo lost by TKO in seven rounds in 2012.

Both fighters are primed for this bout in front of their hometown fans and want badly to claim the WBF Africa title belt. Recognized as one of the world’s top sanctioning professional boxing organizations, the WBF has crowned champions in 15 different weight divisions in high-profile bouts in the US, Europe, Asia and Africa.

The WBF sanctioned title fights are being organized by Hall of Fame Boxing & Promotions (HOF) and based out of Canton, Ohio, USA in Collaboration with Nai Incorporation Company Limited based in Tanzania.

HOF Boxing is also working in collaboration with the Tanzania Professional Boxing Association (TBDA) to organize “Title Night in Tanzania.” “There will be a lot of excitement and energy in the crowd because we are showcasing three well-known fighters from Tanzania in Cheka, Maugo and Mashali,” the organizer said.

“We have a tough journeyman fighter in Williams from the US who wants his shot at the super middleweight world title against Cheka. On top of that, we are showcasing several more top-ranked Tanzanian boxers in the undercards.

“We are anticipating a full house at the Diamond Jubilee plus live television coverage across the region and the continent.” The evening will begin with a scheduled four-round bout featuring Ibrahimu Class, the number two ranked light welterweight in Tanzania vs. up and coming Tanzanian lightweight Hamid Shomari. At ringside to provide television commentary will be two-time defending world heavyweight champion Francois Botha.

“Title Night in Tanzania” on Friday is a prelude to a larger event scheduled for April 2014 in Tanzania billed as “Knockout Malaria.” Hall of Fame Boxing and Nai Inc are working with top-ranking officials of the Tanzanian government to hold a day-long event at Tanzanian National Stadium to raise fund to help fight malaria, one of Africa’s deadliest diseases.

“Knockout Malaria” will have far-reaching benefits beyond raising money for malaria research and prevention. The South African Team Francois Botha, Howard Goldberg, Ribbink Drake and Edward Marshall arrive today so is the team from America who are Williams, Charles Daszkiewics and Filbert Tongola.

MPs on the education and sports committee have accused Minister Jessica Alupo of causing confusion in Ugandan football by taking sides with sports associations.

Education minister Jessica Alupo

While meeting the state minister for Primary Education, Kamanda Bataringaya, over the 2013/2014 budget for the ministry, MPs noted that the new regulations being drafted by the ministry together with the Justice Ministry intending to disband FUFA, will work against the development of sports in the country.

“The minister( Alupo) wants to disband FUFA and keeps taking sides with associations, causing a lot of confusion, now who will make clarifications in such a situation?” the MPs wondered.

The ministry refuted claims by the committee that the minister had been taking sides with any sports association nor indicated that she wants to disband FUFA.

“As such there is no confusion caused by the Hon. Minister. She is just rendering technical advice and guidance based on the legal opinion of the Solicitor General,” Bataringaya told the committee chaired by the Mityana Woman MP, Sylvia Namabidde.

The Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi recently cooled a storm that had been brewing between FUFA and its parent ministry over sections of the new regulations which the former sees as targeting its disbandment.

With FUFA and the ministry drawing daggers, Mbabazi, who expressed surprise about the disbandment, intervened by directing the sports ministry to do exhaustive consultations before the new regulations are passed.

A source that attended the meeting in the Prime Minister’s office, told New Vision Sport that Mbabazi stressed that amongst stakeholders whose input should be sought, is FIFA and its affiliated local association.

By Umaru Kashaka, The New Vision

Hitesh Valambia became the first player to book a place in final of the August Monthly Mug Snooker Tournament at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club over the weekend.

Valambia progressed to the Division B final after seeing off Ashik Merchant by 2-1 frames victory in a tough match. The March Division B champion Valambia awaits the winner between DGC snooker captain Firoz Yusufali and Mujtaba Salem who were in action last night to seek a place in the final. Valambia had earlier beaten tough contender Mukesh Kanabar 2-0.

Yusufali, who is the May Division B champion, was in a pole position in search for his second title this year. He maintained his fine form to book a place in the semi-final by overcoming Mukesh Joshi 2-0 in the quarter-final.

The captain, who is yet to lose a frame in this month’s event, ousted sponsor Sameer Essajee by straight 2-0 victory. Salem had to show excellent game to win his quarterfinal match against Sajaad Salehbhai to book a date with Yusufali.

Salem has never reached the final before and last night he was pitted against his captain in a nerve-wrecking semifinal tie. The Division B title is open after June champion Hussein Zavery, a Cape Town University student, missed this month event after returning to South Africa.

He won his final match against Tosh 2-1. None has managed to win the Division B title back to back and under the current situation nothing is going to change. Snooker secretary Fatema Yusufali said yesterday that the date for Division B final will be known later.

It was planed for Monday but was changed after last Thursday’s delay to allow members to take part in the DGC Special General Meeting. The division A campaign starts today and double champion Kalpesh Lavingia is one of the contestants in the Sameer Essajee-sponsored event which will end on September 1.

RWANDA Volleyball team international player Pierre Kwizera Marshal has signed a two-year renewable contract with Algeria Volleyball first division El Fanar.

Kwizera has been featuring for national league club Kibungo Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Education.

He has previously played for Al Mihlia and is expected to join his new club next month before the Algerian league gets underway on October 15.

Kwizera told Times Sport yesterday, “It is true, I have signed for first division team in Algeria and I hope it will boost my level of playing volleyball. Playing against elite volleyball players in Algeria will also improve my personal career,”

He has been a regular in the national team and the professional move will be a big boost for Paul Bitok’s side, which will soon start preparing for the Zone V World championships qualifiers slated for November in Kigali.

Kwizera joins other Rwandan professional players including national team skipper Christophe Mukunzi Giba and Placide ‘Madison’ Sibomana (Al-Arabi Sports Club –Qatar), Lawrence Yakan Guma (Etoile Sportive de Setif-Algeria) and Vincent Dusabimana aka Gasongo (An-Aghallfa Sports Club-Qatar).

By Peter Kamasa,The New Times

AFRICAN Rally Champion Mohammed Essa has pulled out of the forthcoming Rwanda Mt. Gorilla rally scheduled for September 20-22 in Kigali.

The Rwanda Automobile Club (RAC) chairman Christian Gakwaya confirmed the development. “Essa confirmed his absence from the Rwanda rally after he blew up his chances of retaining the African title in Uganda rally this month,” Gakwaya told Times Sport yesterday,

According to Gakwaya, preparations are underway to have a successful African rally next month.

Essa’s chances of retaining the African championship suffered a setback after his car developed a rear suspension fault that saw him bow out of the Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally.

National rally champion Giancarlo Davite has also given up on winning the 2013 Africa Rally Championship title after crashing out of Shell VPower rally in Uganda, leaving Ugandan Jas Mangat in pole position to win the title.

The three-time national champion started well in the first three rounds and his supporters hoped he would be the first local driver to bring home the ARC title. Davite suffered in the opening round of Bandama Rally but bounced back to finish second in Sasol and Zambia rallies. His form hit rock bottom when he pulled out from both Tanzania Kobil Rally and Kenya Safari Rally due to mechanical problems.

Davite was expected to redeem his chances of getting back Shell VPower contention, but his dreams were shuttered by a mechanical problem.

With two rounds to go, Uganda national champion Jas Mangat leads the ARC log with 83 points followed Jassy on 66 points while reigning African champion Essa dipped from second to third position on 50 points followed by Giancarlo Davite on 33 points.

Mangat’s solitary Africa title challenger with a realistic chance is Jassy Singh who is targeting to redeem himself in the two remaining ARC championships billed for Rwanda and Madagascar if he is to retain the Africa title.

By Bonnie Mugabe,The new Times

Team Rwanda’s most experienced riders Abraham Ruhumuriza and Nathan Byukusenge will compete in this year Swiss mountain bike, which is scheduled for September 2-8.

Abraham Ruhumuriza is Team Rwanda’s most experienced rider.

According the Rwanda Cycling Federation secretary general, Emmanuel Murenzi, the pair will depart for Switzerland today.

“We received the invitation to send riders for the competition and we believe the two (Ruhumuriza and Byukusenge) are the best choice. We hope they will do a good job for the country,” the official told Times Sport on Wednesday.

The event known as Swiss Epic is an international mountain bike race, which  is expected to attract more than 100 riders from different parts of the country.

Meanwhile the U-23 Team Rwanda will leave the country on September 3 ahead of making their debut in the Francophone Games, which will be held in Nice France, starting on September 8. The cycling competition will cover a total of 140 kilometres.

Rwanda will be represented by a team of six riders, who include; Valens Ndayisenga, Patrick Byukusenge, Rudahunga Emmanuel, Jean Bosco Nsengimana, Emille Bintunimana and South Africa-based Hadi Janvier will join the team in Nice.

The team will be under the guidance of US-born head trainer Jonathan Boyer, his assistant Jimmy Jean de la Croix and team physiotherapist will be Obed Ruvogera.

Apart from cycling, Rwanda will also field competitors in other sports such as football, athletics, swimming, boxing, Judo and cultural events.

The host city of Nice will bring together more than 3,000 athletes from five continents competing in sporting and cultural events.

By Peter Kamasa, The New Times