The newly elected first vice president of Rwanda National Olympic and Sport Committee (CNOSR), Felicite Rwemalika, has said that her four-year term in office will revolve around developing women’s sports.

The 58-year old was overwhelmingly elected during last Saturday’s extraordinary general assembly of CNOSR, polling 43 out of 45 votes cast to edge Claire Deborah Ingabire. "Honestly, it’s a great honour and privilege to be elected to this post, it’s been a very difficult journey of empowering young girls and women through sports and specifically football; however, now that I will be overseeing various commissions in different federations, it will be easy to introduce more women to sport through getting them necessary training in coaching and refereeing, which are hitherto dominated by men,” she saidLast year, Rwemalika, who is also a member of the football federation’s executive committee, was recognised for her efforts in promoting women’s football in Rwanda with the prestigious International Olympic Committee (IOC) Women and Sport Award for Africa in Lausanne, Switzerland for the past 17 years."I am also bringing on board regional and international networks that will be exploited for the benefit of our Olympic body, I will be looking to replicate best practices that have worked for various counterparts in other countries,” she added.Rwemalika founded the Organisation of Kigali Women in Sports (AKWOS), and since 2001 she has travelled across the country promoting football as a medium to empower girls and the young generation.Rwemalika was voted into office alongside new president Amb. Valens Munyabagisha, who stood unopposed (replacing Robert Bayigamba), as well as Festus Bizimana, who was elected the 2nd vice president (replacing Elie Manirarora).Others on the committee include Dominique Bizimana, the secretary general; Alice Ingabire, the treasurer; Josette Umwari (internal auditor); and the pair of E’gairma Hermine and Eugene Nzabanterura (both as advisors).editorial@newtimes.co.rw