IN a bid to improve on the quality of local athletes, Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) is ready to go the extra mile by getting agents. According to RAF secretary, Constant Twajamahoro, the federation is working closely with its international athletes to get agents who can take up upcoming players.“We are in close contact with our athletes in Europe to get every potential athlete an agent,” he said. Twajamahoro has been in close contact with acclaimed long distance ace Dieudonne Disi and veteran Mathias Ntawurikura.He pointed out France and Italy as the main destinations for the athletes. The athletes will be joining the likes of Sylvain Rukundo, Jean Baptist Simuceka, and Gervais Hakizimana who are now based in Italy and France.Already the federation has listed two athletes, Francophone Gold medalist Claudette Mukasakindi and upcoming long distance (10,000m) ace Eric Sebahire to benefit from the package from potential agents in Europe. “This is helping us sketch out good training for the athletes who we feel will in turn help us develop other youngsters,” he said adding that this is also part of their 2012 strategic plan. He however noted that the country still lacks good sprint athletes and that a plan has been drafted to detect upcoming talents and gradually get them agents abroad where they can have thorough training. “We are taking every event as selecting basis for those athletes who we will later give to potential agents.” He also cited the upcoming Rendezvous National as a target event and one to determine the level of the sport country wide as it brings together institutions like the Police, army, students and civil society. Ends
