Over 200 local athletes are expected to take compete in the 2018 national athletics championships set for today at Amahoro national stadium. This year’s edition, which starts this morning at 8am, will attract men and female athletes in both track and field events according to Rwanda Athletics Federation President, Fidele Mubirigi. The event will also provide entry standards for the 2018 African Senior Athletics Championship that is scheduled to be held in Delta State, Nigeria, on August 1-5. “The Championships will present an opportunity to local athletes who are keen to compete at the African Championships. We have a number of categories that athletes can search for the entry standards,” said Mubirigi in an exclusive interview with Sunday Sport on Saturday. Salome Nyirarukundo, the 2018 Rwanda International Peace Half Marathon gold medalists in women’s half-marathon, is the only athlete to have already attained the entry standard for the biennial continental showpiece in the 10,000m. The 20-year old landed the required minima at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia. A total of nine clubs have confirmed to participate and these include; APR, Huye, Police, Kamonyi, Mountain Classic Athletics Club, Ngororero, National Athletic Stars and Ntarama. Other participants are expected to be student athletes from the School Sports Federation representing Gatsibo, Gicumbi, Karongi, Nyamasheke, Nyarugenge, Rulindo, Kicukiro, Rutsiro and Rwamagana. Athletes will compete in seven categories of track events that include10,000m, 100m, 1500m, 200m, 5000m, 400m and 800m both in men and women categories. Others will compete in the long jump, discus throw, high jump, triple jump and shot put. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
