Sports ministry given six months to revise sports policy

The Ministry of Sports has been given six months to complete revisions to the law governing the organisation of sport in Rwanda. The directive was issued by members of parliament on Tuesday, May 5, as the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Technology, Culture, Sports and Youth presented its report to the Chamber of Deputies following a comprehensive review of the Sports Development Policy 2020–2030 and its Action Plan 2023–2028. ALSO READ: Senators push for robust sports promotion policy The committee’s Deputy Chairperson, Balinda Rutebuka, tabled the resolutions, urging swift action. “We call upon the Ministry of Sports to expedite the revision of the law governing the organisation of sport,” Rutebuka said. “This should be completed within a period not exceeding six months.” The review—based on field visits to 12 districts across three provinces and the City of Kigali, as well as consultations with government institutions and partner organisations—found that while progress has been made, significant gaps remain, particularly in infrastructure, investment, and talent development. ALSO READ: What do schools expect from the new sports policy? On infrastructure, MPs highlighted persistent challenges in the management and use of sports facilities. These include high venue hire costs—seen as prohibitive by users but necessary by managers due to maintenance expenses—as well as underutilised spaces and equipment in stadiums, poor rainwater management, and high utility costs. Weak infrastructure management at the district level was also identified as an urgent concern. “Progress on all of these issues must be reported back to the Chamber of Deputies every six months,” Rutebuka told lawmakers. Beyond legal reforms, MPs directed the ministry to develop a sustainable investment strategy for the sports sector within nine months. ALSO READ: Revised sports devt policy to focus on infrastructure, corporate sponsorship “We are asking the Ministry of Sports to design a strategy based on real opportunities in the sector,” Rutebuka said. The committee further recommended establishing a comprehensive, measurable, and inclusive system to manage and monitor sports talent among young people within six months. The proposed framework would bring together schools, clubs, federations, private operators, and sports academies to ensure talent is effectively identified, nurtured, and supported. “We need a coordinated mechanism that unites all key stakeholders,” Rutebuka added. “The goal is to help young talent reach the highest level, deliver results, and be guided by strong structures and discipline.” According to the report, gaps in grassroots infrastructure remain stark. A 2022 survey of 2,148 villages found that 1,056 lack a sports ground, while only 0.1 per cent of schools nationwide have a gymnasium. In the City of Kigali alone, 99 schools—about 18 per cent—do not have any sports ground. While initiatives such as the Isonga Programme and the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, alongside partnerships with international clubs, have shown early promise, MPs noted that a coordinated national system for talent development is still lacking.