Rwanda eyes more medals in athletics at 2025 African School Games

Rwandan athletes are shifting focus on medals in athletics after the 3*3 basketball team struck gold at the Association of National Olympics Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Games which is set on Friday, August 1-4. ANOCA School Games, which are taking place for the first time, officially kicked off at the 19 May 1956 Stadium in Annaba, Algeria, and will run through August 4. Rwanda claimed the gold medal in girls’ Basketball 3x3 after on Tuesday, July 29, after beating Nigeria 12–11 in the final. Representing the country in the games in athletics are Sonia Eli Elohe Abizera and Sandrine Niyomugenga in girls’ category as well as Theogene Irafasha and Samuel Kizere who will be competing in boys’ category. According to athletics team head coach Annicet Kanyabugoyi, all the athletes have had good preparations that put them in good position to grab medals at the games. “They have been doing well in training and o believe they will produce good display but also this is good opportunity for young athletes to have many competitions before going to international scene” Kanyabugoyi said According to the athletics events schedule, Sonia Eli Elohe Abizera (girls) and Samuel Kizere (boys) will compete in the 400m semifinals and, should they win, they will play the finals on August 2. Meanwhile, Sandrine Niyomugenga run in the girls 3000m race. Abizera will also compete girls 200m semifinals on August 1 while, on the date, Kizere and Theogene Irafasha will vie for medals in boys 400m and 3000m races respectively. The girls 200m finals and boys 800m finals will take place on August 4. The first edition of ANOCA School Games has attracted about 3500 young athletes and coaches from 22 countries, competing across 25 sports for a showcase of African youth sporting and cultural excellence. This major event brought together young athletes from across Africa in a spirit of fraternity, healthy competition and the promotion of Olympic values. The African School Games afford a unique opportunity to promote Olympic values, develop the sports talents of young Africans and consolidate solidarity among Africans. The event is a windfall of a successful partnership between ANOCA, the International School Sports Federation (ISF) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).