Rwanda junior boys volleyball national team head coach Paul Bitok has hailed the efforts of his players at the ongoing FIVB World Junior Championships in Turkey.

Rwanda junior volleyball national head coach Paul Bitok (C) giving instructions to his players. Times Sport/Courtesy

The Kenyan coach says his team is using the championships as a learning curve for future international competitions despite losing all the group matches.

“The U21 Men’s World Championship was a great chance for  our players to improve on the international scene. It’s a big motivation and experience for everyone on my team,” Bitok said.

“We want to make a difference in the ranking games, so we need to do better in these matches. We will try to fight as we did in the group games, and I hope we will make it,” he told Times Sport from Izmir.

Bitok  revealed that he was happy with the way players expressed themselves in the championships- fighting like soldiers which is great for Rwandan volleyball.

The former Kenyan international player noted that the championships  is a great chance for the young players as well as the country because they have improved a lot after playing against the top nations in the world.

“All matches have been a good experience for us; we have never played at this level against the best teams, so it is a good learning curve for us,” Bitok explained.

Rwanda will play three classification matches, starting today against Venezuela, Estonia on Friday and fellow Africans Morocco on Saturday.

Rwanda lost all group matches to USA 3-1, Tunisia 3-0, Canada 3-0 and Serbia 3-0, which means the only East African country in world championship will play in the ranking matches.

Meanwhile, Rwandan players have impressed at their world championships, team captain Aimable Mutuyimana was voted in sixth position out of 49 best scorers, Fred Musoni  (center) was in tenth position for best servers, while Peter Bigirimana (libero) came in fifth position in the best diggers (defence) category.

Classification matches

Today
Rwanda vs Venezuela

Friday
Estonia vs Rwanda

Saturday
Rwanda vs Morocco

By Peter Kamasa, The New Times

Rwanda’s Aimable Mutuyimana (right) spikes against Venezuela’s block on Thursday

Classification 17-20
Yesterday
Rwanda     3-2      Venezuela
Morocco      2-3      Estonia
Today
Estonia      vs      Rwanda
Morocco       vs      Venezuela
Saturday
Rwanda      vs      Morocco

A HIGHLY spirited Rwanda team secured their first victory in the FIVB Men’s U21 World Championships after overcoming Venezuela in an exciting five-set match lasting 2 hours yesterday at Ataturk Hall in Izmir, Turkey. The teams are vying for the best  slot under category of  the available 17th to 20th positions.

Paul Bitok’s team defeated their South American opponents 3-2 (27-25, 23-25, 18-25, 25-21, 17-15) in a game which debutants Rwanda showed much hunger to win.

Captain Aimable Mutuyimana led his team to a historic victory with yet another wonderful performance at the tournament, scoring 36 points, which is the first ever for any Rwandan team at the world level.

For Venezuela, Willner Rivas led the scorers with 25 points. With long rallies from both teams, Rwanda succeeded to win the first set 27-25 after great performance from their outside hitter Mutuyimana and setter Bonny Mutabazi.

Both teams again went point by point in the second set until Venezuela had a wider point deficit by the end of the set with more activity from their Willner Rivas and Roberth Abreu.

Venezuela used the disturbed Rwandan reception and backline defence to come over and win the third set  25-18.

Again Rwanda came back in the fourth set with their scoring machine to win the set 25-22 before heading into  the tie break decider.

Venezuela led in the tiebreak till they were 8-6 ahead, when Rwanda came back aggressively to win the set 17-15 and secure the first victory.

Rwanda starts the round robin competition with 2 points to lead the pool along with Estonia, while Venezuela and Morocco each gained one point.

By Bonnie Mugabe,The New Times

The National Paralympic Committee (NPC-Rwanda) is looking for Rwf25m to host the 2013 World Sitball Championships scheduled for October 11-12 in Kigali.

Secretary General of NPC Rwanda Celestin Nzeyimana

Rwanda, who are defending champions, have already secured sponsorship from the Ministry of Sports and Culture worth Rwf30m but they still need an additional Rwf25m to be able to host a successful tournament.

“Plans are underway to host the tournament but we are mainly concerned with lack of enough funds,” the NPC president Celestin Nzeyimana told Times Sport yesterday.

“We have already been assured partial sponsorship from the Ministry of Sports and Culture and we are doing our very best to seek more funds such that we can be able to host a successful tournament,” added Nzeyimana.

The money needed will go into the organisation of the two-day event as well catering for basic needs such as feeding, accommodation and transport for national teams from Burundi, Kenya, Uganda, Germany, Switzerland, DR Congo and Tanzania.

Three years ago, Rwanda won both the men and women titles  in the Sitball World Cup in Kampala, Uganda.

Rwanda A beat German 21-20 in a thrilling final, while their female counterparts had a much easier task as they thrashed hosts Uganda 33-8.

By Bonnie Mugabe,The New Times

The stage is set for the much-awaited World Boxing Federation (WBF) super middleweight world title bout between homeboy Francis Cheka and American Phil Williams at the Diamond Jubilee Hall in Dar es Salaam this evening.

Francis Cheka

The fight, the main event at the ‘Title Night in Tanzania’, pits one of Africa’s most celebrated boxers against an up-and-coming brawling fighter from the United States of America.

Cheka, the current IBF Continental Africa champion and the number one ranked super middleweight in Tanzania, is taking his 28-7 record with 16 Kos into the WBF fight against Williams who has complied an impressive 12-5 record with 11 Kos.

President Jakaya Kikwete will be on hand to lead Tanzanians cheer up Cheka who is facing a tough opponent who has already vowed to record a knockout victory away from home.

The president will be joined by the Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports Fenella Mukangara, senior government officials and hundreds of boxing enthusiasts who will all pray for Cheka to win and force Williams swallow his words.

The American, who hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota, told reporters on Wednesday that he has prepared well for the 12-round fight and insisted that Cheka should expect to be knocked out very early in the ‘exceptional bout’. “

I have come here to win and I want to win the belt in early rounds,” Williams, better known as ‘The Drill’, who is fighting his first professional bout out of the US, told reporters in the city on Wednesday.

“I have trained well over the past couple of weeks, so I am confident of having the last laugh.” However, the 5’ 11” Williams admitted that Cheka is a good boxer who can beat any fighter in the middleweight category and his trainer, Filbert Seko Tongolo added weight to the fight when he predicted a tough showdown.

Tongola, a Tanzanian based in the US, described Cheka, 5’ 10 ½”, as one of the finest boxers in the country. “I cannot say who will win this duel because both boxers are good and have experience, thus whoever will punish the other’s mistakes will win it; let the best boxer take the title,” he said.

“Phil has a massive experience despite the fact that he has not fought outside the US. “He has a winning mentality and he is very strong, so the only thing I will say is that we have a good plan to win the title.”

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

WBF president Howard Goldberg who is already in the city said he was looking forward to witnessing a good fight and said the two boxers are the best in the weight category.

The WBF sanctioned title fight is being organised by Hall of Fame Boxing & Promotions (HOF), based out of Canton, Ohio, US. According to HOF representative Jay Msangi, this is the first time the company is staging professional boxing matches outside the US. HOF is also working in collaboration with the Tanzania Professional Boxing Association (TPBA) to organise the ‘Title Night in Tanzania’.

“There will be a lot of excitement and energy in the crowd because we’re showcasing well known fighters from Tanzania in Cheka,” said Msangi. “Then we have a tough journeyman in Williams from the US who want his shot at the super middleweight world title against Cheka.

“On top of that, we are showcasing several more top-ranked Tanzania boxers in the undercards. “We are anticipating a full house at the Diamond Jubilee Hall plus live television coverage across the region and the continent.”

The evening begins with a scheduled four-round bout featuring Ibrahimu Class, the number two ranked light welterweight in the country versus up-and-coming Tanzanian lightweight Hamis Shomari.

Class is 6-1 and has won his last six fights while Shomari won his first professional fight early this year against Mahinya Ramadhan. The latter had no lost in eight previous fights before facing Shomari.

At ringside will be two-time defending world heavyweight champion Francois Botha The ‘Title Night in Tanzania’ is a prelude to a larger event scheduled for April next year in Tanzania billed as ‘Knockout Malaria’.

HOF is working with top-ranking officials of the Tanzanian government to hold a day-long event at the National Stadium to raise funds to help fight malaria, one of Africa’s deadliest diseases.

‘Knockout Malaria will have afar-reaching benefits beyond raising money for malaria research and prevention,” observed Msangi. “We expect this event to attract more tourists to Tanzania, bring this part of Africa in the international spotlight and allow Tanzanian citizens to take pride in their community and even volunteer their God-given skills to help produce this incredible daylong affair.”

Source Tanzania Daily News

Two weeks ago, Kampala Open organisers revealed that 24 countries had confirmed participation in the global event expected to bring a financial boost to the Kampala economy.

The tournament has attracted teams from all over the world.

Now House of Talent say the number of participants is up to 32 countries, a ridiculously delicious total that will turn Kampala into a one-week carnival.

“We have received very overwhelming response from the countries. A total of 72 and 49 teams from the men and women categories respectively,” said House of Talent boss Eddie Okila.

The tournament is expected to attract as many as 10, 000 visitors to the country, from players, coaches and fans. The World beach Volleyball open is the second biggest event on the FIVB calendar after the World Championship and Uganda is the first African country to host the competition.

The competition, which is accompanied by a party atmosphere, will be held at Lugogo in the Uganda Manufacturers Association Auxiliary Parking, where works on setting up an appropriate arena are already underway.

The teams: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Czech, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Paraguay, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela.

FIVB Kampala Open

Date: Sept 24-29

By Charles Mutebi, The New Vision

Golola Moses has emerged victor over Titus Tugume in the East and Central Africa challenge fight at Freedom City.

Moses Golola

The much hyped fight got dramatic a fortnight ago when Tugume procured a coffin and paraded to the media and vowed it would be Golola’s resting place after the fight. Fate though has seen things turn around.

Golola who was in Kenya undergoing body mechanics defying training trounced his opponent in the first round to the delight and disappointment of many – in equal measure.

Prior to the match his minder Kiwanuka said: “I can’t say much for him. All I can say is that Golola is fit to go because he has had good training but you will hear what he will tell you at Freedom City!”

Golola cunningly did not attend a press conference where his opponent paraded the coffin and vowed he would be ‘laid to rest’ as he was reportedly fine tuning for the contest in a special training in Nairobi but Kiwanuka said then that the fighter was aware of all that happened.

In what turned out to be mind games ahead of the much hyped fight, Golola said  it would be down to the fight to see who would be taken away in the coffin.

Golola is the East and Central African champion while Tugume holds the national belt in the super middleweight category.

Source The New Vision

Classification 17-20
Yesterday
Estonia       3-0      Rwanda
Morocco      1-3      Venezuela

Today
Rwanda           vs     Morocco
Estonia     vs     Venezuela

Rwanda lost their second classification match against Estonia 3-0 (25-12, 27-25, and 25-13) at the ongoing FIVB Men’s U21 World Championships yesterday in Izmir, Turkey.

Fresh from registering the country’s first ever win at the world level against Venezuela a day before, Paul Bitok’s side lost the first set against their European rivals 25-12, but improved in the second set which they also lost narrowly 27-25, before Estonia dominated the third set 25-12.

Rwanda’s major weakness at these world champions has been in reception and defense, which has cost the debutants valuable points despite matching their better prepared opponents.

Rwanda will play the last ranking match against Morocco today and Estonia will meet with Venezuela. It will be the second time Rwanda meet Morocco this year following their clash in African Championships in Egypt where Rwanda won 3-1 to take third position.

Ahead of the Morocco game, coach Bitok said, “We need to give everything in the last game, we will try to minimise the mistakes and I think we will do better and achieve our best results.”

After winning against Venezuela Bitok noted, “First, I would like to congratulate my players. They fought really hard. This match was very difficult for us.”

“As a coach I am very happy. We have learned a lot from the previous matches and I hope it will help the players,” he stated.

“We played against big teams. My objective was to win at least one match and now we are very happy. I hope this self confidence lead us to win another match.”

By Peter Kamasa,The New Times

Team Rwanda riders Abraham Ruhumuriza and Nathan Byukusenge have departed for Swiss ahead of this year’s Swiss Mountain Bike race, which is scheduled for September 2-8.

Nathan Byukusenge will compete in his first ever international mountain bike race

The pair left the country on Friday morning ahead of the event known as Swiss Epic international mountain bike race. The race is expected to attract more than 100 riders from different parts of the country.

Meanwhile Bonaventure Uwizeyimana, riding for his South Africa-based World Cycling Centre Satellite Africa team, finished in 42nd position out of 106 riders on the first day (160 km) of Tour do Rio 2013, which started on Thursday.

In a related development, 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. The cycling competition will cover a total of 140 kilometres on September 8.

The team compromises six riders namely; Valens Ndayisenga, Patrick Byukusenge, Rudahunga Emmanuel, Jean Bosco Nsengimana, Emille Bintunimana and South Africa-based Janvier Hadi, who will join the team in Nice.

By Peter Kamasa,The New Times

Homeboy Francis Cheka beat American Phil Williams on split points decision, to claim the World Boxing Federation (WBF) super middleweight world title at the Diamond Jubilee Hall in Dar es Salaam on Friday night.

The fight, the main event at the “Title Night in Tanzania”, pitted one of Africa’s most celebrated boxers against an up-and-coming brawling fighter from the United States of America.

All the three judges had Cheka winning. The first judge Eddie Marshall from South Africa scored 116-113 in favour of Cheka, while Fidel Hayness gave out 119-118 and the last judge John Chagu recorded 117- 116. The other two judges are Tanzanians.

The fight was well handled by South African referee Drake Ribbinck and Cheka entrance to the fight was delayed but when he did arrive he started sluggishly in the opening round only to pick up in the third round. Cheka impressed in the third and fourth rounds as he landed more meaty blows.

The Morogoro based fighter, better known as SMG by his fans, caught Williams “The Drill” with heavy blows in the fourth round and the American took to his knees but managed to continue with the bout as he appeared unhurt from the straight jab.

Williams went down again in the seventh round after taking a sharp slip but the American was immediately on his feet to counter flurry of punches from his opponent. The fight that was graced by the Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Fenella Mukangara saw the two fighters exchanging blows in the closing moments but Cheka was technically clinical.

Following the latest victory, Cheka the current IBF Continental Africa champion and the number one ranked super middleweight in Tanzania has now made 29-7 record with 16 KOs against Williams who has now compiled 13-6 record with 11 KOs.

This latest victory proved that Cheka, 5’ 10 ½”, is one of the finest boxers in the country and Africa in general. The main fight was preceded by four other exciting fights.

In the curtain-raiser to the bout, Thomas Mashally beat Mada Maugo on points to claim WBF Super middle Champion Africa in the 10 round bout, while Alphonse Mchumiatumbo beat the Iringa based boxer, Chupaki Chipindi with TKO in fifth round of 6 rounds heavyweight bout.

Alain Kamote from Tanga beat Deo Njiku from Morogoro on points in the 6th round bout, while Ramadhani Class “King Class Mawe” outpunched Simba wa Tunduru on points in the four rounds bout.

However, the event could not go smoothly as almost all local boxers went on strike over allegations of un-cleared payments, whereby the audience had to wait for almost an hour while promoters were sorting out the problem. Some journalists were barred to enter to cover the event and several people were arrested with fake tickets.

The WBF sanctioned title fight was orgsanised by Hall of Fame Boxing & Promotions (HOF), based out of Canton, Ohio, US in collaboration with the Tanzania Professional Boxing Association (TPBA).

According to HOF representative Jay Msangi, this is the first time the company is staging professional boxing matches outside the US.

At ringside was two-time defending world heavyweight champion Francois Botha. The “‘Title Night in Tanzania” was a prelude to a larger event scheduled for April next year in Tanzania billed as “Knockout Malaria”.

HOF is working with top-ranking officials of the government to hold a day-long event at the National Stadium to raise funds 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,” observed Msangi.

“We expect this event to attract more tourists to Tanzania, bring this part of Africa in the international spotlight and allow Tanzanian citizens to take pride in their community and even volunteer their God-given skills to help produce this incredible day-long affair.”

By LUDOVICK KAZOKA, Tanzania Daily News

Rwanda’s top professional cyclist Adrien Niyonshuti who rides for South African team MTN Qhubeka is nearing end of anticoagulant treatment and is expected to start training outdoors in November.

Adrien Niyonshuti represented Rwanda at the 2012 London Olympic Games in the Mountain Bike race

Six months after he was forced to take a complete break from racing due to a problem with deep vein thrombosis, Niyonshuti is making a steady recovery from the career threatening illness.

According to team MTN Qhubeka, the Rwandan rider is moving towards the next step in his recovery.  He is training well indoors and if things continue according to plan, he will return to competition at the start of 2014.

“In the last few months, I’ve done some hard training. I’ve been averaging around 47 hours a month between riding on the indoor trainer and running,” Niyonshuti said this week.

“I’ve dealt with it and now I am very motivated to come back to my best, but because of the medication I am unable to cycle outdoors until later this year. I’ve been doing indoor sessions which our team coaches have set up. Besides the bike, I have been running on the road a few times a week,” he noted.

In just over two month’s time, he will be able to step things up, “According to recent meetings with the doctor, it looks like I will be able to return to the road in November.”

He says he will be training throughout November and December and join his team, “when we have the training camp. If all goes according to plan, as it seems it is, I will compete with the team when the season starts in 2014.”

The problem arose for the MTN Qhubeka rider after he took a flight from Rwanda in mid January. He experienced swelling in his right calf; when assessed by doctors, they discovered that he had suffered deep vein thrombosis (DVT) complicated by pulmonary emboli.

Due to the dangers of the situation, Niyonshuti was immediately hospitalized and given essential treatment. After his release, he was put on blood thinners and told to rest.

MTN-Qhubeka team doctor Jon Patrios said at the time that the circumstances were serious and that the rider’s safety was of primary importance.

“In a situation like this the immediate and long-term health of the athlete takes absolute precedence over the disappointment associated with the team losing one of our high profile riders,” he said.

Half a year later, the team’s director of health and performance Dr. Carol Austin explained the cause and treatment of the issue.

“Symptoms of the DVT occurred after an international flight, and his doctors believe that prolonged inactivity exacerbated by mild dehydration was the likely cause,” she stated.

Niyonshuti expects to complete anticoagulant [blood thinning] treatment in November. He will then transition to training outdoors and return to professional road racing for the 2014 season.

At 26, he represented Rwanda at the 2012 London Olympic Games in the Mountain Bike race hence becoming the first black to do it. He has a contract with MTN Qhubeka until the end of next season.

By Bonnie Mugabe & Peter Kamasa,The New Times

Rwanda lost their third classification match against Morocco 3-0 (25-21, 25-10, and 25-21) on Saturday to finish in the last position at the 2013 FIVB Men’s U21 World Championships in Izmir, Turkey.

Yesterday’s defeat follows another 3-0 reverse against Estonia on Friday 25-12, 27-25, and 25-13. The two losses came fresh on the heels of the team registering the country’s first ever win at the world level against Venezuela in first classification match on Thursday.

Defeat to fellow Africans, whom they beat 3-1 at the African Championship early this year, means Paul Bitok’s side finished in 20th position, Morocco in 19th, Venezuela in 18th position while Estonia in 17th position.

Making only their first appearance in the world championships, Rwanda’s major weakness has been in reception and defense, which has cost the debutants valuable points despite matching their better prepared opponents.

Morocco dominated all the volleyball skills in their way to defeat Rwanda in the last match of the classification group for 17 to 20th positions.

Rwanda finished with a win- loss ratio of 1-2 and 2 points, while victory for Morocco secured them second position in the classification tournament with 1-2 win- loss ratio gaining 5 points.

Morocco proceeded Venezuela, which finished with the same points and the same win- loss ratio but the North Africans had a better set quotient 6-6 against 5-7 for the South American rivals.

Rwanda’s captain Aimable Mutuyimana led his team scorers contributing 10 points, while the Moroccan outside hitter Zouhair El Graoui led his team scorers with 14 points.

Yesterday

Rwanda 0-3 Morocco
Estonia 3-0 Venezuela

By Peter Kamasa, The New Times

Lack of experienced is said to be one of the reasons that made youngster Atish Shah fail to shine at the just -ended Yonex Mauritius International Badminton championship.

The tournament, which was held in Port Louis at the end of last month, was a Badminton World Federation (BWF) sanctioned future series.

Shah was the first Tanzanian at the Mauritius International Badminton championship after missing out on international competitions for about 25 years.

Reports from Mauritius have it that the Tanzanian, who was making a debut in international competitions, was eliminated in the first round after losing 5-21 10-21 to host Paul Christopher. The boy remained in Mauritius after the tournament decides to undergo badminton training and sharpen his skills.

One of the national top players Hassanal Mawoko, who missed out on the Mauritius event due to lack of sponsorship said lack of experience cost Shah dearly.

“I talked to him, you know it’s always never easy to perform well for the first time, but we hope he will learn a lot from the Mauritius tourney as he is a fantastic player,” he said.

Mawoko, who is Shah’s practice partner at the Dar es Salaam Khalsa Club, headed to Nairobi, Kenya over the weekend for the Shira Open held at the Nairobi Barclays Club.

He said his friend opted to take some time in Mauritius to learn the sport and is due back home this week. Shah faced a stiff competition from experienced players from South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, Seychelles, Egypt, Botswana and hosts Mauritius.

Source Tanzania Daily News

After Rwanda finished in the 20th position at the 2013 Men’s U-21 World Junior Volleyball Championships in Turkey, the national team captain Aimable Mutuyimana says players have gained valuable experience in the 10 days of the competition.

Rwanda’s skipper Aimable Mutuyimana (right) spikes against Venezuela’s block

Debutants Rwanda secured just one win in the championship, a 3-2 victory over Venezuela.

However, Mutuyimana, who was the team’s star performer, says he is happy with the overall performance.

He says that the World championship is the biggest experience for the youngsters.

“We learned a lot in the last 10 days we were there. Playing against big teams in our group was very difficult at the beginning of the championship.

However, we learned a lot from their system and mentality. This championship definitely improved our mentality. That was our aim and I think we accomplished it,” he said.

He added, “Everybody has dreams of playing at such a level but success comes step at a time. Our first objective was to get some experience. After the Venezuela match on August 30, we celebrated our first win ever at a World championship.”

“We were happy to win that match. The game was not difficult at the beginning but it increasingly got harder. But we fought until the last second. Overall it was a great experience for me and my teammates,” said the APR volleyball club centre.

He added, “When we qualified for FIVB U-21 Men’s World Championship, every Rwandan was happy. It was a big step, especially after playing against Morocco and winning bronze with 3-0 at the African Championship to qualify for the World championship.”

“During this championship we had some difficulties both mentally and physically. We mistakes but kept learning and improving,” he told Fivb.org.

“We learned a lot from the tournament. We learned that we should fight until the end no matter who we play against. Our mentality has changed a lot.”

The 20-year old believes that the experience from Turkey will help the team a lot for future international competitions.

“This is a great start for Rwanda’s volleyball. I’m sure our younger brothers will do better jobs than we did on our debut,” the team skipper noted.

By Peter Kamasa,The New Times

Former manager Tony Holden says boxer, who tested positive for HIV in 1996, died on Saturday in Nebraska.

Tommy Morrison

Four young Rwandan Karatekas arrive in the country today with four bronze medals they won during the just-concluded Seventh Cadets, Junior and Under-21 years African Championships, which ran from August 26-September 2 in Tunis, Tunisia.

Aisha Umuhoza shows off her medal in Tunis. Times Sport / Courtesy.

Jeanne d’Arc Umumararungu, 17, Alphani Nsabimana, 19, Aisha Umuhoza, 19, and Solange Ingabire, 20, each won bronze in their respective categories at the El Menzah Sports palace, the Olympic city in Tunis.

The Rwandan team of six – all black belts (Shodan) – also included Christian Rurangayire, 20, (Kumite over 78Kg) and Vanelly Ngarambe, 20, (Kumite under 68 Kg).

Umuhoza and Nsabimana competed in the individual Kata under 54kg category, while Ingabire and Umumararungu competed in Kumite in the over 60kg.

“All this came from hard work. When I was on the podium to receive my medal, I felt so proud of my country; I was so happy to see our flag being raised among the other flags. I hope to win gold next time,” Umuhoza told Times Sport.

Nsabimana said, “I am so happy. All I want now is to work harder, improve my training and, next time strike gold.”

Not first time

This is not the first time a Rwandan Karate team has won medals.

Last year, during the 14th African championships for senior Karatekas, held from September 7 to 9 in Rabat, Morocco, Sylvestre Twajamahoro and Rehema Kabera won two bronze medals.

By James Karuhanga, The New Times

Senior volleyball national team skipper Christophe Mukunzi has signed a two-year renewable contract with Algeria Volleyball first division El Fanar.

Mukunzi returns to Algeria after spending two seasons in Qatar.

According to the outgoing volleyball federation technical director, Gertrude Kubwimana, the 26-year old joins his compatriot Pierre Marshal Kwizera, who joined the club last week.

Mukunzi moved from Qatari first division league side Al-Arabi Sports Club.

He returns to the Algerian league for a second spell having featured for Blida Volleyball Club two years ago.

He is expected to join his new club this month before the Algerian league resumes on October 15.

Mukunzi and Kwizera have been regulars for the Rwandan national team and the professional moves 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.

Rwanda’s other professional players include; 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).

Meanwhile, Rwanda Volleyball Federation boss Gustave Nkurunziza has made changes in his administration, with Christian Hatuminama and Gertrude Kubwimana swapping roles to become technical director and executive secretary, respectively.

By Peter Kamasa, The New Times

Munish Khattar ended Kalpesh Lavingia’s two-month dominance and was crowned the new snooker king at the August Mug tournament held at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club (DGC) over the weekend.

Khattar wiped all his sadness since the tournament was introduced in March this year and won his first title against the best player in the Division A battle.

He maintained top form to lift the first snooker title this year with a straight 2-0 victory against a tough contender who was looking for another record in the two-week Sameer Essajee sponsored event.

Khattar had to overcome a stiff challenge from Lavingia — the winner of May and June Mugs — before beating him by 2-0 frames in a thrilling best of three frames final. Both frames were even for both players and each tried to showcase his skills but Khattar closed the game and prevented Lavingia from making another history.

Lavingia became the first player to win back to back titles in May and June but faltered to Khattar this time. The tournament was skipped in July to pave way for the Holy Month of Ramadhan. Lavingia reached the final after seeing off another tough contender and April champion Ramesh Lathigra by 2-1 victory in the semi-final.

Khattar had to show excellent skills to win his semi-final tie against Raju Kanabar 2-0 on Friday night to set a date with Lavingia in the final showdown. Players who won Division A title since March are Arjun Lavingia (March) and Lathigra (April). Hitesh Valambia won the Division B title – the second this year — after beating DGC snooker captain Firoz Yusufali 2-1.

He won it for the first time in March while Yusufali was the winner in May. Valambia had a very good weekend as he also took home the overall trophy at “Play for Sight” golf tournament at the club over the weekend.

Other Division B player who have won the title are Rupesh Soni alias Gugi (April) and June champion Hussein Zavery, a Cape Town University student, who missed last month’s event after returning to South Africa.

Source Tanzania Daily News

Kelly Lewarani displayed his prowess in camel riding last Sunday when he won the Maralal International Camel Derby for the third consecutive time at Yare Club in Samburu County.

Competitors during the Maralal International Camel Derby race. PHOTO: Peter Muiruri/STANDARD

Lewarani led a pack of 17 professional riders in the 21-kilometre race clocking one hour and 12 minutes, beating his closest rivals, siblings James and Lawrence Wambile who came in second and third.

“It was a tough race but the camel behaved well. A camel is not like a car to follow an exact route. We tried all we could to keep him on the specified course,” said Lewarani.

It is also the fifth year that Lewarani is participating in the competition, which is held annually in Maralal, 350 kilometres from Nairobi.

Though men dominated the longer event, it was a different script in the 10-kilometre amateur race where the top five positions were filled by female competitors.

Kie Riedel from USA won the event in 37 minutes, 12 seconds followed six minutes later by Christina Gannon of the United Kingdom. Carolyne Van Ruessel of Netherlands was third.

“It was exhausting as well as stimulating. The camel would slow to a walk, then run, slow down again before picking up speed. It is unbelievable that I won after my first attempt at the derby,” said Kie.

The unique sports event, now in its 23rd year brings together communities from northern Kenya region.

By PETER MUIRURI, The Standard

Kenya will start immediately its preparations for the 2015 Special Olympics to be hosted by the US inLos Angeles.

National Bank boss Munir Ahmed presents a dummy cheque to Ann Nyikuli. PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD

Special Olympics Kenya (SOK) on Tuesday said it was important to start their preparation early if the country is to do well in the global competition.

SOK want to come up with teams in track and field, handball, bowling, swimming, golf, equestrian, volleyball and basketball.

The plans were boosted when National Bank of Kenyadonated Sh2.5million towards the same.

“We will start competitions in every county to identify who will proceed to the nationals where we will hold selections for Kenya’s representatives in the games,” SOK chairman James Kimonye told FeverPitch.

John Makathimo, a SOK director, explained that  the federation is starting the preparations early because most athletes have mental disability and are slow learners.

Big contingent

Kenya is seeking to take 53 athletes, 14 coaches and two officials to the games in Los Angeles. In order to recruit good athletes and competent teams for the games the SOK needs Sh10million.

“We also need Sh47 million to take the teams to the World Summer Games. I take this opportunity to appeal to other well-wishers to come forward and support our athletes,” said Makathimo, who also urged the Sports Ministry to consider rewarding all their medalists.

This is the second year in a row that NBK is sponsoring the SOK team. The bank donated a similar amount when SOK sent a swimming team to the World Aquatic Competition in Puerto Rico last September where Kenya managed four silvers and a bronze.

NBK Managing Director, Munir Ahmed, reiterated the bank’s commitment to supporting sports in the country including those in vulnerable groups.

Nurture talent

“The sponsorship of the Special Olympics Kenya is important to the bank because it will help in nurturing talent among the vulnerable groups in our society,” Ahmed said.

Ambassador Ann Nyikuli, who represented Cabinet Secretary for Art, Sport and Culture Hassan Wario at the ceremony, said the Government was keen on working with the private sector to promote athletes and ensure exemplary performance on the global stage.

“I wish to urge other institutions to emulate NBK in support of Kenya’s Special Olympics teams as they prepare for the games,” said Nyikuli.

“SOK has continued to institute good programmes, which have brought out the best in our sportsmen and women ranging from athletics to football to swimming for the intellectually challenged.

“Only last year, the federation introduced floor hockey and sent a team to take part in the World Championships in South Korea where Kenya won gold.”

Only 33, 000 athletes are registered with SOK, which is encouraging parents and Kenyans in general to identify and encourage those who are yet undiscovered to come forward for sport training.

By ERICK OCHIENG’, The Standard

A whopping Rwf360 million will be spent on the fifth edition of the Tour of Rwanda, set for November 17 to 24, Rwanda Cycling Federation has said.

The Rwanda Cycling Federation chairman,

Rwanda Cycling Federation boss Bayingana has tipped Rwandan riders to shine in the race

, told Times Sport, “We want to have a good and attractive competition and hope this year’s edition will be better than all the previous races.”

Bayingana said the national team has been undergoing intensive preparations and, after assessing the situation over the last few days, he is optimistic the team will put up a great show.

Last year, Adrien Niyonshuti was the only Rwandan to finish in the top ten. He came in the ninth position in the 894.8km race that was dominated by South African riders and won by Lill Darren.

However, Niyonshuti has been out of competition since February and is ruled out of the Tour of Rwanda as he continues to recover from deep vein thrombosis.

No Rwandan has ever won the Tour since it became an international event in 2006.

The local cycling federation has already secured sponsorship from the Ministry of Sports and Culture, Rwanda Development Board (RDB), COGEBANK, Inyange Industries, Skol beer, Moneygram, Eurocar, RSSB, SN Brussels, Canal Plus, Radio 10, RBA, TV10 and TV5 Mond to organise this year’s event.

Team Rwanda is composed of three sides (Team Rwanda Akagera, Team Rwanda Karisimbi, and Team Rwanda Muhabura).

Also expected to participate in the Tour are Team Novo Nordisk, (US), Team Sovac (Algeria), Two European teams (Team Avia Crabbe from Belgium and Rhone Alpes from France) and nine African teams, including South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Algeria, Gabon, DRC, Eritrea.

By Peter Kamasa,The New Times