At least 10 local swimming teams have confirmed their participation in the forthcoming Swimming Genocide Memorial tournament slated for Saturday, April 15, the Swimming governing body (RSF) has announced. The tournament, which will take place at Green Hills Academy’s pool, was organized to honor athletes killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Many sports personalities, including players and administrators, were killed during the Genocide, a culmination of decades of systematic division and hate propagated by the pre-1994 regimes. For that reason, Swimming federation Secretary-General, James Bazatsinda told Times Sport that they will use the occasion to pay tribute to victims who lost their lives during the Genocide. Participants will compete in three various categories namely elite men, elite women and juniors. Mako sharks Swim club, a Kigali-based club which trains from Green Hills Academy, is among the 10 teams that confirmed their participation as they look to defend the title they won in 2022. Other teams that will take part include Les Dauphins, Cercle Sportif de Karongi, Cercle Sportif de Karongi, Rubavu Sporting Club, Rwamagana Canoe and Aquatic club, Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle, Gisenyi Beach Swimming club, Aquawave Swim Club and Rwesero Swimming Club.
