As the world commemorates the International Women’s Day, Women Magazine Sport uses this occasion to honour Rwanda’s sports women, many of whom have done us proud both here and abroad. One such champ is Rwanda women’s basketball team player Honore Ayebare who outstandingly led the country to win its maiden qualification to the Fiba-Africa Nations Championship to be played in Madagascar in September this year. Ayebare who was Rwanda’s best player in the just concluded Fiba-Africa Zone V qualifiers for Africa’s Nations’ Basketball championship was among the 11-woman squad lined up by Croat coach Kavedzija Vacescav, to solicit for the lone ticket that earned the country’s qualification to the Fiba Africa Championship. The USA based playmaker, Ayebare scored 125 points to win the top scorer, best three point shooter and best free throw shooter awards respectively. Fiba named Ayebare the Most Valuable Player of the tournament in the women’s category, a feat that makes every Rwandan proud of her. Together with her team mates, Ayebare helped Rwanda record an impressive 103-35 over Burundi on the final day of the FIBA- Africa Zone V women at Amahoro indoor stadium on March 1. Other team members who made major contributions to the score board were Mireille Karangwa who added 22 points; Letiticia Mahoro added 12 points with Mugeni Sabini adding her name to the top point scorers’ sheet with eight goals.Karangwa was also recognised for her efforts and was given the best two points’ shooter award in the one-week tournament. Other regional aces included Burundi’s best player, Fiona Sifa and Kenya’s Purity Asuma who won the top rebounder award and led her team to come an impressive second after hosts, Rwanda. Uganda took third position. Kenya pounced Uganda women 67-45 while Rwanda won 95-70 over Uganda. Burundi finished last with six points losing all her round robin matches against Kenya, Uganda and hosts Rwanda. The Team:Clementine Matungano, Alice Muhongerwa, Jovite Kabarebe, Shaban Rehema, Joselyne Munyaneza, Claudette Imanishimwe, Francine Karigirwa, Sandra Uwase, Mireille Karangwa, Honoree Ayebare, Laetitia Mahoro, Sabine Mugeni. Ends
