The first edition of the 2008 monthly athletics inter-clubs championship has been re-scheduled from January 27 to February 3. The delay is a result of the local athletics federation’s failure to raise the required funds (Frw 1 million) on time. “We have no sponsors, and the federation had to find the funds,” the federation’s secretary general Appolinier Munyangoga pointed out. The federation’s executive secretary Constantin Twajamahoro also said that the runways at Muhanga need to be worked upon before any action. So far 18 of the 26 Athletics Clubs in the country have confirmed their participation.Munyangoga said that it’s not yet clear whether other teams will take advantage of the delay to register for the competition. The Muhanga-event will also act as a selection basis for local athletes who will compete in the March International Cross Country in Edinburgh. “We want to select athletes who will compete in Edinburgh for Beijing Olympics minimums.” Athletes will compete in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m, 4x400m, 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 10000m and 15000m, Longjump , High jump, triple jump, discus, and Short put and at the end of the day, the top five athletes in each discipline will be awarded medals (Gold, Silver and Bronze) and Certificates of performance. To date, Dieudonne Disi is the only loacl athlete assured of participating in the forth-coming Olympics Games in Beijing.Ends
