German Embassy in Rwanda on Thursday, March 9, presented athletics equipment donation to Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) as part of supporting local athletics development. The equipment donation is a result of existing cooperation between Germany and Rwanda as well the federations from both countries. Starting-blocks, shot put, javelin and baton relays are among equipment that the embassy handed over to the federation in a ceremony held at RAF headquarters in Remera. While handing over the equipment to the federation, German envoy to Rwanda Amb. Dr Thomas Kurz, expressed Germany’s continued commitment to supporting the development of athletics in Rwanda. “It is an existing partnership, this is the second time we are supporting the federation and we hope the partnership continues,” said Kurz. “Next time we want to continue with training the coaches. It is a continuation of the existing program aimed at improving our cooperation since the last two years,” he added. RAF President, Lemuel Kayumba, said that they equipment came at the right time and hopes that they will help athletes to improve their performance during their routine training sessions. “We needed these equipment because they help athletes in training. We didn't them with us but since our players are going to use modern equipment in training, hopefully they will not have difficulty competing against top athletes at international competitions,” Kayumba said. It is the second time the Embassy provides equipment to the the federation besides sending Rwandan coaches to attend coaching courses in Germany. Through the existing partnership, German Sports body sent instructor Dr Winfried Spanaus where he trained 16 Rwandan athletics coaches on advanced skills in middle and long distance running.
