The Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport (MIJESPOC) has undertaken the responsibility to finance eight athletics championships in 2008 to a tune of Frw97.7 millions.

This was revealed recently by the athletics federation Secretary General Appolinaire Munyangoga who noted that the eight events would include local, regional and international competitions.

He said the accord was reached at during a meeting between Mijespoc and six local sports federations held in Gisenyi last Monday aimed at discussing the action plan for 2008. 

"We have 17 championships on our calendar for this year but Mijespoc has only agreed to finance eight, which is not a bad gesture,” Munyangoga said.

The money will be deposited at the federation’s bank account and will run many championships and other federation’s activities.

Munyangoga also said that the Sports Ministry has agreed to pay off the federation debts worth Frw6.7 millions which the former federation administrators failed to pay before they were kicked out of office early last year.

The first portion will cover the Tanzania Cross country and World Cross Country Championship in Edinburgh, Scotland to a tune of Frw11 millions.

While, the second part, which includes the International Peace marathon in Rwanda, East African junior championship in Kenya and African Athletics championships in Ethiopia would cost Frw61 millions.

And the third quota, which involves the IAAF junior championship in Poland, is expected to consume Frw7 million.

The last portion includes the 3rd edition of the World Road Running championship due in Brazil and national athletics championship both of which would cost Frw12 millions.

The remaining events, which include the monthly inter-club competitions, the national cross country, national junior athletics championship, 20km Kigali race and the regional road match championship, would be funded by the athletics federation.

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