Rwanda comes of age in EA Games

AFTER five failed attempts, Rwanda finally broke her jinx at the East Africa Games by lifting two trophies at this year’s edition which climaxed on Sunday in Fort Portal, Uganda.

Monday, September 07, 2009

AFTER five failed attempts, Rwanda finally broke her jinx at the East Africa Games by lifting two trophies at this year’s edition which climaxed on Sunday in Fort Portal, Uganda.

Butare secondary school thrashed Kenya’s Keptile 3-1 to lift the boys’ volleyball title while APAPED were crowned football champions in the girls’ fray after edging out Uganda’s Masaka on penalties (6-5). The two sides had played out to a 2-all draw in normal time.

This year’s performance was by far Rwanda’s best and erased last year’s bad memories were the country failed to secure silverware despite hosting the competition.

"We are pleased with the performance. The schools prepared well for the games and it was good to see them finishing on a high,” the technical director of the national post primary federation Emily Ruberwa said before adding, "We could have performed a lot better if it had not been for a few hiccups like some of our players falling sick.”

Indangaburezi finished third in the girls’ volleyball category while St. Emmanuel Hanika and Cyuru high school also finished third in the football and Handball categories.

Ugandan schools made the most of home advantage as they dominated the competition.

Uganda picked four trophies courtesy of wins in football and netball (St Mary’s Kitende) while Gombe reigned in the boys’ handball category.

Kenya’s consolation came in the girls’ handball category where Mukumu won the event.

Ends