The 2023 Umurenge Kagame Cup tournament concluded Sunday, June 25, in Huye District, Southern Province, by recognizing best performers in various sports disciplines over the weekend. READ ALSO: Umurenge Kagame Cup returns Organized annually with a goal to promote ‘good governance’, talents and good health, the 2023 tournament edition was officially launched on January 7 in Busasamana Sector, Rubavu District in Western Province. Umurenge Kagame Cup Competitions were introduced in 2006. The competitions started with only football games for both men and women involving different sectors across the country. The competitions were introduced following the second phase of decentralization as a strategic channel for mobilisation of both citizens and new local leaders to embrace the reforms and changes brought by the decentralisation. As time went by, new disciplines like athletics, volleyball, basketball, sitting volleyball, cycling, Jumping and ‘Ikibuguzo’ were added. After a weekend of entertaining finals in different sports disciplines, the tournament was concluded by a football final match between Nyarugenge Sector and Ngarama sector of Gatsibo District. Nyarugenge clinched the title after beating Gatsibo 4-2 in a thrilling final match. Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) CEO Dr. Usta Kaitesi, Minister of Local Government Jean Claude Musabyimana and newly-elected president of the local football governing body (Ferwafa) Alphonse Munyatwali were among guests who attended the closing ceremony of the tournaments. Closing the tournament at Huye Stadium, RGB CEO Dr. Usta Kaitesi was impressed by how the finals went down through the course of two days. “The tournament was good, people from all districts participated and competed well. As the organizers we appreciate the districts’ commitment, we are really happy,” Kaitesi said. Kaitesi emphasized that Umurenge Kagame Cup Competitions fall in line with people-centered governance upheld by the government of Rwanda and insists the tournament has reached the potential to produce top athletes who can play for top teams at the national level. “Our government is committed to having healthy and empowered citizens capable of working for their own socio-economic development and to contribute to national development. The tournament is aimed at reuniting and helping people to play and enjoy each other. Our governance puts the citizens first, so the people have enjoyed this and you can see the improvement. My personal advice to the district is to focus on these players because they are talented and committed,” she added. Umurenge Kagame Cup Competitions aim mainly to promote the principles of good governance, fostering collaboration between local government entities and learning from one another, empowering citizens through talent development. The tournament returned this year, ending a three-year hiatus. It had not taken place since 2019 due to covid-19. “People really missed these games and what we have learnt is that our people like games and are good at competing, we are playing to add more disciplines, especially traditional games. It is our responsibility to entertain people as a part of celebrating our good governance,” Kaitesi said. Winners, both individuals and teams scooped different prizes, as a key indicator of citizens-centred governance. Full list of winners Football: Nyarugenge sector (Nyarugenge) beat Ngarama sector (Gatsibo) 4-2 to win the men’s trophy while Rwimbogo sector (Rusizi) beat Murunda sector (Rutsiro) 3-0 to win women football title. Basketball Men: Musanze Women: Musanze Volleyball Men: Gasabo Women: Gicumbi Sit Ball Men: Rubavu Women: Ngoma Cycling Men: Sagan Elisa Manirumva Women: Lilian Uwimbabazi Kubuguza Men: Hassan Shukuru Women: Immaculèe Dusabemariya Jumping Men: Nicolas Bizimana Women: Solange Uwamariya Athletics Men 100m: Valens Manishimwe Women 100m: Ester Uwurukundo Men 400m: Heritier Ishimwe Women 400m: Francine Mutuyimana Men 1,500m: David Ishimwe Women 1,500m: Claudine Nyiranzeyimana Men 15km: Joseph Nzirorera Women 15km: Epiphanie Mutuyimana
