The Bank of Kigali football club was on Saturday, November 5, crowned champions of the inter-agency football tournament. The bankers beat SKOL FC 7-3 in a thrilling final held at Kigali Stadium to win the tournament in the category of private institutions. Club captain Leandre Sekamana said that the winning spirit that the team showed throughout the tournament was worth nothing but a trophy. “This trophy means a lot to us because victory is always our objective at BK. These are the games that help us not only to stay fit but to also connect and keep our minds fresh after work,” Sekamana said. In other disciplines, RwandAir BBC beat WASAC BBC 70-47 in the final to win this year's championship in Basketball among public institutions that employ more than 100 staff while STECOL won the basketball championship for private institutions after a 71-61 victory over BPR. In the category of public institutions with more than 100 workers, the game between IPRC-Kigali and the Office of Prime Minister (Primature) was postponed as the former was temporarily shutdown for two weeks amid investigation of theft and misappropriation of public resources. Rwanda Energy Group (REG) won the women’s basketball championship after beating Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) in the final while Rwanda Revenue Authority (RRA) won the women’s Volleyball tournament after overcoming the Ministry of Defense (MINADEF). In Football, Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) FC won the championship bringing together institutions with less than 100 workers, after beating Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) 4-0 in the final. The Office of the Prime Minister won the Volleyball championship in the category of public institutions with more than 100 workers after beating the Ministry of Sports in the final. The teams that emerged champions at this year’s respective tournaments will represent the country at the 2023 African Workers championships in Gambia. Organized by Rwanda Association of workers practicing Sports, the workers’ championships brings together public and private institutions with a mission to motivate sports practice among the workforce. The tournaments intend to promote sports among workers, social affairs of employees and employers through sports as well as encourage and link public and private partnership using sports. The tournaments returned this year after a two-year halt due to the covid-19 outbreak. According to Thierry Tigos Mpamo, the President of the association, this year’s tournaments were more competitive compared to previous editions. “The games were tougher than before because some teams returned with more energy and won trophies for the first time. Some teams could not participate this year due to covid-19 financial struggles but we hope to have them back next season,” Mpamo said.
