THE Minister of Sports and Culture Joseph Habineza has advised local sports federations to embark on plans of grooming competitive athletes for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Habineza advised federations to draft detailed action plans in January, 2010 aimed at identifying and developing athletes for the Games.

"It’s my wish that we field more athletes in 2012 so federations should start making plans on how we can achieve this,” the minister said, before urging the new executive committee of the national Olympic body, RNOC to work hand in hand with the federations to accomplish this mission.

He also assured federations that they will get government funding in the preparations for London 2012.

"Of course federations will get government support which will be channeled through RNOC,” Habineza said, adding that this will help wipe out the idea of RNOC trying to work in isolation as was the case with the previous executive committee headed by Ignace Beraho.

Rwanda’s quest for medals at last year’s Beijing Olympic Games was marred by poor preparations which saw the country fielding a mere four participants; two swimmers and two athletics. They all fell short in the competition.

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