Never Again Karate tourney set for June

THE Rwanda Karate Federation is planning to organise the Never Again tournament aimed remembering players, coaches and administrators, who were killed during the Genocide against Tutsi in 1994. 

Tuesday, April 08, 2014

THE Rwanda Karate Federation is planning to organise the Never Again tournament aimed remembering players, coaches and administrators, who were killed during the Genocide against Tutsi in 1994. 

"The federation will stage a tournament in June as a way to remember those who passed away during the 1994 Genocide. We have not yet agreed on the dates but before the end of this month, we will be able to specify the actual date for the event,” the federation’s Technical Director, Guy Rurangayire, said.

The tournament will not only involve sports activities but testimonies will be passed over as a way to foster reconciliation. 

The teams expected to compete include Samourai, UR Huye, APR, Rubavu, Musanze, Kicukiro Mamaru Karate Do, Kaisho, Hantei, Aigle, Kensei, Fight, Ngoma, Gicumbi, Nyagatare and Tigre. 

Despite losing several athletes who passed away during the Genocide, karate as a sport has continued to develop in the last 20 years. 

The country has participated in international competitions like the Francophone games and this year, Ferwaka will send participants to the second edition of the African Youth Games scheduled to be held in Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana from May 22-31.