IGP Gasana pledges more support to Police sports teams

The Inspector General of Police Emmanuel K Gasana yesterday committed to provide more support to both Police FC and Police handball team following an inspirational performance by the two teams this season. Gasana made the commitment at a cocktail gala organized for the two teams at Rwanda National Police headquarters, where he also delivered a message from the Minister for Internal Security, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harelimana congratulating the two teams for their tremendous performance. “We have plans to equip the teams with more advanced kits; we already have a highly advanced team bus en route from Mombasa. The handball team will be receiving bonuses frequently,” the IGP said. Playing before a fully packed Amahoro stadium, Police FC on Saturday won the 2015 Peace Cup title after seeing off rivals Rayon Sports in a 1-0 victory. Since January, the Police Handball team has stood unchallenged with three trophies and currently leads the league table. During the gala, the two teams presented their trophies to the Police leadership and their fans as they celebrated their achievements. “You have re-written history, we now all have a responsibility of ensuring that we maintain this record. No achievement comes easy, to maintain the momentum we will require commitment,” Gasana told the teams. One of Police FC fans who attended the event, François Nsengiyumva, pledged Rwf 1 million as a boost to the team. The respective chairpersons of the two teams and their coaches recollected the journey they went through to put their hands on the trophies and also appreciated the support they got from Police leadership. “We emerged the third best performer the first time we participated in CECAFA championship; today we have the Peace Cup, there is no doubt we can make it in any competition. I am proud to say that I lead a committed team and a steady coach,” Police FC president, Rtd Col Dodo Twahirwa, said. Police FC head coach, Andre Cassambungo, who braved the blues in the Saturday match to walk home with the trophy, said that winning the Peace Cup wasn’t easy as his team faced the strongest teams throughout the challenge. “We had to win because the team was committed. We had received support from the police leadership. Losing wasn’t part of our options and from now we intend to carry on with this momentum into next season, we are aiming for bigger things,” Cassambugo said. Meanwhile, the lead coach for Police handball team, Assistant Inspector of Police (AIP) Antoine Ntabanganyimana detailed the trophies his team won in the last six months and also promised that his team has the ability to do even better in future. Last season, Police won seven trophies on the local scene, including the national league, Liberation Day, Genocide Commemoration, Labour Day, Sulfo Beach, Carred’AS and Rwanda Cup. editorial@newtimes.co.rw