Karongi Swimming Club were last weekend crowned champions of the Swimming Genocide Memorial Tournament after outshining rival teams in various categories.
Held at Green Hills Academy’s pool in Kigali, the tournament was organized by Rwanda Swimming Federation in an occasion to honor athletes killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
READ ALSO: Swimming Genocide memorial tourney to attract 10 teams
Before the competition started, the athletes and their parents were briefed on the history of Rwanda, especially on the Genocide against the Tutsis in 1994 that cost the lives of over a million of victims including athletes.
Zephanie Niyonkuru, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Sports, said swimming is one of the sport that will used to encourage the youth to fight against the Genocide ideology.
READ ALSO: Swimming: 140 athletes to compete at Genocide memorial tournament
"Children should know what happened and what they should do to prevent it from happening again, besides sports, athletes have the responsibility to play their part to fight those who are trying to spread Genocide ideology among the new generation,” Niyonkuru said.
A total of 134 swimmers, including 83 boys and 51 girls, took part in the tournament, competing in three various categories namely elite men, elite women and juniors.
Joshua Niyonsenga clocked 1 minute and 11 seconds to help Karongi SC to win the GMT trophy while Mako Sharks, who had dominated the competition for the past two years, emerged runners-up. Les Dauphin Swim Club completed the podium in third place.
Rwanda Swimming Federation president Pamela Girimbabazi was impressed with the performances showcased by the swimmers from different categories and, while paying tribute to athletes killed during the Genocide against the Tutsi, she called on the players to use sports to contribute to the country’s continued rebuilding process.
"We have prepared this competition because it should be held in a way to remember those who lost their lives during the Genocide against the Tutsis. The athletes who are competing here are young children who should grow up knowing how they can contribute to the development of this country through sports,” she said.