A total of 33 athletes will represent Rwanda in the 2024 All Africa Games scheduled for March 8-23 Accra, Ghana.
According to Zephanie Niyonkuru, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Sports (MINISPORTS), Rwanda will be represented in five disciplines at All Africa Games namely cycling, cricket, beach volleyball, 3*3 basketball and athletics.
Some 14 athletes who are part of the national women’s cricket team which already arrived in Accra on Tuesday while those set to participate in beach volleyball and cycling are expected to depart on Thursday, March 7.
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The Athletics and Basketball 3x3 is supposed to depart for Ghana on March 15.
The Accra All Africa Games will serve as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifier for some disciplines.
A total of 29 sports, divided into three categories, will be featured at the games. They include eight Olympics qualifying sports, 15 non-Olympic qualifying sports and six demonstration sports.
Teams
Beach volleyball Men: Olivier Ntegengwa and Venuste Gatsinzi
Women: Benitha Mukandayisenga and Valentine Munezero.
Cycling
men: Moise Mugisha, Samuel Niyonkuru and Vainqueur Masengesho
Women: Diane Ingabire
Athletics: Yves Nimubona
Cricket: Marie Diane Bimenyimana, Alice Ikuzwe, Gisele Ishimwe, Merveille Uwase, Belise Murekatete, Clarisse Umutoniwase, Flora Irakoze, Geovanis Uwase, Josiane Nyirakundineza, Marie Josee Tumukunde, Therese Henriette Ishimwe, Rosine Irera, Immaculee Muhawenimana, Zurufat Mutoniwase and Sylvia Usabyimana.
Basketball 3x3
Men: Olivier Turatsinze, Justin Uwitonze, Hubert Sage Kwizera, Lukwanga Mike Mugalu, Chandelier Twizerimna Cyiza Nshuti and Jules Irakoze
Women: Faustine Mwizerwa, Jane Dusabe, Nelly Akaliza, Ramla Munezero, Violette Uwimpuhwe and Oliviette Tumukunde.
Participating countries
Egypt and Nigeria are the only countries to have participated in all editions of the All Africa Games.
Egypt is the most successful country in the history of the African Games, having won a total of 1620 medals (639 gold, 500 silver, and 481 bronze).
Nigeria follows in second place with 1326 medals (470 gold, 428 silver, and 428 bronze), while South Africa is in third place with a total of 1054 medals. Algeria is fourth with 1028 medals.
Only four countries have emerged as overall winners: Egypt (7), South Africa (3), Nigeria (1), and Tunisia (1).
The All Africa Games will be held in three Ghanaian cities—Accra, Kumasi, and Cape Coast—from March 8 to 23.