Once again, Rwanda continued to position itself as a sports events hub in 2023 by hosting a number of global sporting activities. From mere sports conferences to competitions themselves, the country pulled many numbers of people to it during the year and, in this article, Times Sport presents some of the notable events. FIFA Congress The FIFA Congress, the supreme legislative body of FIFA, was hosted in Kigali, bringing together top executives from FIFA, confederations and representatives from 211-member associations and other football stakeholders. It was characterised by many notable developments, from Gianni Infantino’s re-election to FIFA presidency to the decision to make equal prizes for men and women’s World Cup tournaments. BAL 2023 Kigali hosted the third edition of the Basketball Africa League (BAL) dating from May 21-27 at the BK Arena. Zamalek and US Monastir had won the first two editions before the 2023 contest ended in favor of Egyptian giants Al Ahly as champions following a convincing 80-65 victory over Senegal’s AS Douanes. Giants of Africa Festival illuminates Kigali The Giants of Africa Festival 2023 marked its 20th anniversary in Kigali. The week-long celebration successfully brought together 250 youths from 16 African countries, engaging in sports, entertainment, and cultural activities. Featuring prominent African music artists such as Davido, Tiwa Savage, Diamond Platnumz, Tyla, and Rwanda’s own Bruce Melodie, the festival was a memorable cultural extravaganza. D’Tigress prevail at FIBA Women Afrobasket 2023 In July, Rwanda hosted the FIBA Women Afrobasket 2023, a premier women’s basketball continental championship for African nations. ALSO READ: PHOTOS: Women’s Afrobasket: Rwanda ousts Uganda, storms to semis The competition, held at BK Arena from July 28 to August 5, saw basketball enthusiasts witnessing the best of basketball from Africa’s finest women basketball players. Nigeria’s D’Tigress, led by Rena Nakama, were again crowned champions for the fourth time in a row after beating Senegal 84-74 in the final. Being the only female head coach in the competition didn’t stop the American-born coach from helping the West Africans lift the championship. CAVB Zone V club championship In November, Police volleyball club were crowned champions of the regional volleyball club competition after coming from a set down to trounce Ugandan side Sport-S Volleyball Club 3-1 (19-25, 25-14, 25-20 and 25-15) in the final. Club skipper Olivier Ntagengwa, who won the best receiver award, said his team deserved to win the tournament while it was the best way to avenge against a team which beat them in the round robin stages. Against all odds, a Rwandan team stood tall to end the competition victorious. Eritrea’s dominance at Tour du Rwanda continued In February, Henok Mulueberhan of Green Project-Bardiani made history when he won the Tour du Rwanda 2023 on his very first appearance at the cycling event, one of Africa’s finest races so far. The 23-year-old’s glory saw him become the fourth Eritrean to win Tour du Rwanda after Daniel Teklehaimanot, Natnael Tesfatsion who won it twice and Merhawi Kudus. The yellow jersey for the race was not decided until Mulueberhan crossed the finish-line at Canal Olympia leading the peloton of the 8th and final stage. He finished triumphant after 75.3 kilometers in two hours four minutes and 52 seconds. The youngster was crowned champion after covering 1,054.6 kilometers overall in 58 hours 28 minutes and one second to beat second-placed Walter Calzoni of Q 36.5 PRO Cycling Team to the yellow jersey by just microseconds. Rwandans struggled at Peace Marathon In June, Kenyan runners dominated the just-concluded 18th edition of Kigali International Peace Marathon held Sunday, June 11, bagging 10 medals out of a possible 12, as Rwandan representatives struggled to win any of the medals. Marthe Yankurije, who plays for Rwamagana Athletics Club, was the only Rwandan who managed to take home a cash prize in the running race, after finishing seventh in the women’s half marathon, clocking 1:15:42 in the process. Kenyan Winfridah Moseti Moraa struck gold in the women's half marathon after crossing the finish line at BK Arena first clocking 1:12:40. She was followed by fellow Kenyans Lilian Jepkemboi Lelei and Susan Chambai Aramisi who bagged silver and bronze medals respectively. Patel retains Mountain Gorilla Rally The Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally, the biggest motorsport event on Rwanda’s calendar, returned a more competitive race. Kenyan driver Karan Patel and his navigator Tauseef Khan won the 2023 edition in their Ford Fiesta RS car. Patel’s victory in Rwanda, the second in a row, was crucial to his journey to becoming an African champion. For the first time, more than 25 drivers competed in the rally from Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi, Uganda and Zambia. From Kigali to Bugesera, Rally enthusiasts witnessed one of the best races in years.
