Rwanda's sports development has enjoyed a significant revolution since her liberation 29 years ago, with the country now focused on improving the sector in all departments of development. The government has put a strong emphasis in promoting the sports sectors and invested huge sums of money in building internationally-rated sports infrastructure which have, as a result, raised Rwandan profile in sports tourism internationally, hence attracting the world to host their events to the country of thousand hills. ALSO READ: PHOTOS: Rwanda, BAL announce multi-year partnership extension Rwandans have much to celebrate about the sports sector but they still think a lot needs to be done to turn the country into a respected sporting nation in various perspectives. Times Sports spoke to some young athletes and suggested where they want to see the sports sector over the next decade. Pierre Ishimwe, APR FC goalkeeper When you look at the Rwandan sports industry before and after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, there is quite a big difference in every corner. In recent years, the number of sports disciplines have increased and the private sector and the government have started investing in the sports industry. But, even if there is a visibly good improvement, a lot still hinders the sports agenda from achieving its goals being its goals with lack of professional academies and talent development centres still a big challenge for the sports development. The Rwanda I want to see in 10 years is the country that will be consistently participating in continental and international competitions, country that will be producing athletes who are the level of competing in the best leagues in the world. Florence Imanizabayo, Rayon Sports WFC striker We, the young generation born after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, don’t know much about what was the country went through during the Genocide but, from what we read, see on televisions or hear from testimonies, sports was among the sectors that were paralyzed by the events of Genocide against the Tutsi and nor were there development plans for it. However, the situation has been quite the opposite after the Genocide. For example, for the first time in history of this country, we have two national women football league divisions. A Rwandan team is participating in the CAF Women Champions League every year and we can’t forget that it has been achieved only during the past three decades where Rwanda has many female coaches, athletes, referees and executives in various disciplines. As a female athlete, I want see a women league which is as competitive as men’s league. I would also be glad to see women national teams competing and winning for continental championships and having more Rwandan female athletes playing professional football abroad. Isihaka Iradukunda, swimmer We are in 2023, some of us will, in the next 10 years, be in the middle of our careers while others will be considering retirement. We need to see a different industry where talent detection and development will be the foundation, an Industry where all disciplines are treated equally with high quality infrastructures. I need to see our sports institutions governed professionally by qualified people, those who lived the athleticism life or those who are familiar with sports. We need a sports industry where athletes are financially stable through their respective careers and an industry that generates tax revenues for the government than financially relying on them. Djazilla Mwamikazi, female cyclist Rwanda is among countries with most growing economies in the world. A lot has been achieved in various sectors, including sports, but we need to see more and ore. ALSO READ: Kwibohora29: Major sports facilities constructed in post-genocide Rwanda We are not where we were in past 29 years but there is still a big room for improvement comparing with where we all want to be. Rwanda has established herself as a key destination for big sports events and international competitions but that should not be enough for this. The next step in the next 10 years, we want see the country’s athletes and teams winning these competitions from their home soil. Hosting Tour du Rwanda, BAL and other continental or international competitions should be an advantage that home athletes shouldn’t take for granted in the next decade. Jean Jacques Wilson Nshobozwabyosenumukiza, APR BBC and Rwanda national team player Rwanda’s sports sector has grown since her liberation in 1994. On the infrastructures side, you can see the progress. We have the best basketball Arena in the region, Amahoro Stadium is undergoing a remarkable transformation and we have good roads for cycling and motorsports. All these facilities were not here before 1994 and they helped Rwandans to recover from tragedy of 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that put the nation on the ground. Although we have been witnessing remarkable sports infrastructure improvement, the country needs to double the efforts in the next 10 years. We need more than three high caliber arenas, more football stadia to be able to host many international competitions like FIBA World Cup and AFCON among others. There are so many young talents out there and all they need is basic equipment like pitches, balls, shoes and other simple stuffs but more facilities should also be put into consideration to ensure that they have places where they can showcase their talent. So, in the next decade, we need an industry that all children have access to basic sports equipment and infrastructure. Valentine Munezero, APR women volleyball player We came from far where the sports before Genocide presented limited opportunities before the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi Infrastructures and political will were quite a difficult challenge for the sports sector, which is totally different from today. Since we have a government that supports sports, the next 10 years should be about winning in every discipline. We want to see Rwanda as a country known for producing a lot of talents for the local and international leagues and clubs.
