A total of 704 athletes will compete in the 2025 National Track and Field Championships, scheduled for Saturday, July 19, at Amahoro Stadium.
Organized by the Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF), the annual competition serves as a key selection platform for athletes aspiring to represent Rwanda at the upcoming 20th World Athletics Championship which will take place in Tokyo, Japan, in September.
"We’re looking for the best of the best athletes to represent the country at the world level. Normally, this tournament is held four times a year, and this is our first one of the year. It’s an opportunity created to help us prepare in advance," said RAF Secretary General Jean-Paul Niyintunze.
In addition to the athletes, the event will feature 65 technical officials and coaches overseeing 54 disciplines across track, field, and relay events. Competitions will be held in four categories: Senior (20+ years), Junior (17-20 years), Youth (15-17 years), and U14 (11-13 years).
Athletes will be competing in a comprehensive range of events including sprints, middle- and long-distance races, jumps, throws, and relays which vary from the 4x100m and 4x400m to mixed relays.
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Thirteen of Rwanda’s most notable athletics clubs are confirmed to take part in this year’s Track and Field Championships.
They are APR Athletics Club, Police Athletics Club, UR-Huye Campus Athletics Club, Sina Gérard Athletics Club, Nyamasheke District Athletics Club, Rutsiro District Athletics Club, Nyaruguru District Athletics Club, Rwamagana Athletics Club, Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle Athletics Club, EP Kinyina Athletics Club from Gasabo, Kavumu Athletics, Ngororero Athletics, as well as the excellence centers from the ISONGA Program.
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The 2024 edition of the championships delivered strong performances, with Sina Gérard, APR, and Police Athletics Club emerging as dominant forces.
In the women’s long-distance races, Jeanne-Gentille Uwizeyimana of Police Athletics Club won gold in the 5000m with a time of 16:59.28, while Florence Niyonkuru of Sina Gérard Athletics Club claimed victory in the 10,000m, clocking 35:57.20.