After the horrible events of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi which saw over a million of lives lost, Rwanda has undergone sporting revolutionary mechanism to promote peace, unit and reconciliation through sports events. During the country's dark times in 1994 which spanned 100 days, the agony that people endured still haunted them but, thanks to sports, they have been able to overcome it and people are now living in unity. As Rwandans celebrate the 29th anniversary of liberation, Times Sport takes a look at 10 best sporting moments which put smiles and joy back to Rwandans during the post-genocide era. Amavubi’s 2004 AFCON qualification The day Rwanda qualified for the 2004 AFCON in Tunisia remains up to date the best sporting moment that Rwandans have ever witnessed in the country’s history. It is an achievement that came in grand style as the country made their maiden appearance to the finals of Africa’s most prestigious football event ahead of four-time African champions Ghana. On July 6, 2003, just nine years of healing from the wounds left by the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Rwandans again found real joy in football the moment goal hero Jimmy Gatete scored a memorable goal that earned Rwanda their first ever AFCON qualification ever. Amahoro Stadium in Kigali was filled to capacity as the legendary striker scored a 49th minute header against Ghana to send Amavubi to the 2004 AFCON in Tunisia. All Rwandan's celebrated the victory and qualification in one accord. Arguably the greatest moment that Rwandans have ever witnessed, APR's 2003 CAF Cup Winners Cup semi-finals berth Olivier Karekezi in April 2022 told Times Sport that, when he joined APR in 1998, he did not want to play as he saw some players whose parents were involved in the genocide against the Tutsi. For someone like Karekezi who lost his mother and two elder brothers in the genocide it was not easy, but soon, he managed to move on. He and the other players joined forces together and helped APR to reach the semifinals of the 2003 CAF Cup Winners Cup. It brought joy to the whole country and the sense of unity and patriotism was massive considering APR is an army club. That semi-final berth remains the military side’s biggest achievement. The club has been chasing it or doing even better but it has still stood out as a record hard to beat. Amavubi U17 World Cup 2011 qualification Rwanda booked their ticket to the 2011 FIFA U17 World Cup in Mexico following a 1-0 victory over Egypt on January 11, 2011 through a Faustin Usengimana winner at Kigali Stadium in the second game of Group A. The goal ensured that the then AFCON U17 host nation grabbed one of the four slots reserved for Africa for the World Cup in Mexico and it remains the country's only appearance at the world cup in any football level. Rwanda went all the way to the final of the U17 AFCON before losing 2-1 to Burkina Faso. They, however, bowed out of the group stages of the world cup, finishing at the bottom of Group C behind England, Uruguay and Canada. Salima Mukansanga, first African woman to officiate in World Cup Rwanda is a country that champions gender equality and fights to promote women in various sectors and sports has not stayed behind. Mukansanga made history when she was named the fourth referee in France's game with Australia during the Qatar 2022 world cup, becoming the first African woman to officiate at the men's World Cup. It’s a moment that she never imagined until she found herself on the final list of referees that the football governing body selected to officiate the 2022 FIFA World Cup slated from November 21 to December 18 in Qatar. Mukansanga’s selection cemented a true definition of how far Rwanda has gone in supporting women to excel in their various professions including sports. More achievements are coming her way as she is expected to officiate at FIFA Women’s World Cup that will take place in Australia from July 20 to August 20. Eric Dusingizimana sets Guinness world record in cricket In May 2016, Rwanda international cricketer, Eric Dusingizimana set a new world record for the longest time spent batting in the net. The then national cricket team captain spent 51 hours batting at the indoor Amahoro Stadium. On February 16, 2017 also, Rwandan female cricketer Cathia Uwamahoro broke a Guinness world record for the longest cricket net session. She then set a new one by batting 26 hours. Mention can also be made of Eric Dusingigizimana who also spent 51-hour batting to set a world record in May 2016. The duo’s achievement didn’t go to waste, they helped in raising funds to build the Gahanga Cricket Stadium which, upon completion, has since hosted many international cricket tournaments. They have also inspired the young generation to venture into the fast growing sport which is gaining momentum in Rwanda. Rayon Sports win 1998 CECAFA Cup Just one year after Rwanda’s admission to become a member of the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA), Rayon Sports brought joy to all Rwandans when they won the 1998 CECAFA Cup and beat Mlandege FC of Zanzibar 2-1 in the final. The Blues had seen off Tanzania giants Yanga 3-1 in the semifinals in another great outing. The triumph in the competition brought togetherness to Rwandans as they believed they can achieve greater things if they stand against divisionism. Rwanda B CECAFA Cup glory Just two years after being admitted as a CECAFA member, Rwanda hosted the 1999 edition and was at the time represented by two teams, A and B which were likely to face off in the final. Unfortunately, the A side lost 4-1 to Kenya on penalties in the semifinals after regulation time had ended goalless and the B team also beat Burundi 2-1. The B team went on to beat Kenya 3-1 in the finals while the A team also beat Burundi 3-2 on penalties to place third. That was when Rwandans started to find comfort and happiness in sports, especially football. That glory stands out as one that started to bring Rwandans together to support one nation and leave aside their differences. Valens Ndayisenga’s Tour du Rwanda glory Ndayisenga won the 2014 edition of Tour du Rwanda which is arguably the biggest cycling event on the African continent. Since the inception of the competition in 2009, no Rwandan cyclist had won it as it had always been dominated by foreigners but Ndayisenga broke the jinx. His glory was followed by a significant evolution of the sport which had gone to be one of the most followed sports in the country. Patriots’ semifinal berth in BAL Basketball currently stands out as one of the sports with growing fan base in Rwanda and that prompted the country to venture into the game by building the Kigali Arena which eventually hosted the inaugural season of the Basketball Africa League, a tournament that brings together African elite basketball clubs. Patriots were in their prime and reached the semifinals although they were knocked out by Tunisian giants US Monastir. Despite the elimination, the semifinal remains the best achievement by a Rwandan club since the competition’s inception in 2021. Rwandans have been looking for the same show from Rwanda Energy Group, but they couldn’t deliver as anticipated during the past two editions.
