Every athlete's journey is shaped by sacrifice, setbacks and determination. For Police HC star Samuel Mbesutunguwe, that journey started on a primary school playground before evolving into one of the most successful handball careers in Rwanda. Mbesutunguwe enjoyed another impressive campaign, cementing his reputation as one of the Rwanda Handball League's standout performers although his club fell just short of the national title, which APR HC won in a remarkable comeback. My family supported me from the beginning, and my coaches kept motivating me and helping me improve every day. Mbesutunguwe’s love for handball began at home. Inspired by his elder brother, Alexis Nshimiyimana, who also played the sport. He quickly developed a passion and realized he had the talent to succeed. My brother inspired me to start playing handball. Watching him made me believe that I could also become a good player one day, he said. His first taste of victory convinced him that handball could become more than just a hobby. ALSO READ: Handball: Genocide memorial tourney kicks off My first victory brought me so much happiness. Hearing supporters chant my name and later earning money from doing what I love made me realize that handball could become my career. Overcoming injuries Like many athletes, Samuel's journey has not been without obstacles. While facing strong opponents has always been part of the game, he says injuries have been the toughest challenge of his career. Being injured and watching my teammates play without being able to help them was the hardest moment for me. There were occasions when frustration made him question whether he should continue playing. Sometimes I thought about giving up, but never completely. My passion for handball and the talent God gave me always pushed me to continue. Mbesutunguwe also credits his family and coaches for helping him become the player he is today. My family supported me from the beginning, and my coaches kept motivating me and helping me improve every day. A season that ended in heartbreak Police HC looked destined to reclaim the Rwanda Handball League title after spending nearly two months at the top of the standings. However, APR HC caught up on the final day of the regular season, with both teams finishing level on 26 points. APR claimed first place thanks to a superior goal difference of +342, compared to Police HC's +306. The rivalry continued in the playoff finals. Police HC made the perfect start by winning the opening two matches to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. But APR responded with an incredible comeback, winning three straight games to overturn the deficit and claim the championship 3-2. It was very difficult to accept, Samuel admitted. We became physically exhausted because we didn't have enough time to recover between games. Handball demands a lot of energy, and I think that affected us. He also believes small details ultimately cost Police HC the title. We didn't finish our chances well enough. If we had been more clinical in front of goal, we could have controlled the games much better. Despite the painful ending, Samuel believes the experience has made him stronger. I've learned that you have to stay focused until the final whistle. I'll continue working harder physically so I can maintain my level throughout the entire season. Although Police HC missed out on the league title, Mbesutunguwe’s individual performances did not go unnoticed. His displays throughout the Memorial Tournament earned him the MVP award, a recognition he attributes to discipline, consistency and relentless hard work. It means so much to me, he told The New Times. I'm very happy and honoured to be named the Memorial Tournament MVP among so many talented players. It motivates me to keep working harder. I worked harder than before, stayed focused throughout the season and always tried to improve every aspect of my game. Proud to represent Rwanda One of the proudest moments of Samuel career came in 2017 when he received his first call-up to Rwanda's national handball team. Joining the national team is my greatest memory in handball. Representing Rwanda remains a privilege he never takes for granted. Wearing the national team jersey means respect, patriotism and making my family proud. Competing against some of Africa's best players at the African Handball Championship also helped him grow. I learned that nothing comes without hard work. I made mistakes, but every mistake became a lesson that helped me improve. Looking ahead Despite the disappointment of last season, Samuel remains fully committed to Police HC. His immediate ambition is to help the club reclaim the Rwanda Handball League title while continuing to develop individually. My goals are to win more individual awards, never stop improving and help Police HC win the championship again. Although opportunities may come in the future, his focus remains firmly on his current club. I still have a contract with Police HC, so my priority is to continue giving my best for the team. Samuel is also determined to sharpen key areas of his game, particularly his finishing, while continuing to improve through individual training and stronger teamwork. As one of Rwanda's leading handball players, Samuel hopes his journey inspires the next generation. My advice is simple: be disciplined, stay focused, believe in your talent and work as hard as you possibly can.
