FORMER APR and Rwanda’s international sprint runner, Saidi Hamissi Ndayisaba famously known as ‘Nzabasiga’ has called time on his running career after a decade in the sport.

The 25-year-old athlete has represented the country in numerous international competitions including the All Africa Games (2007 and 2011), 2010 Commonwealth Games and IAAF African championships among others.

"Retiring from running doesn’t mean I’m totally quitting athletics. I can still contribute in different ways, apart from running for the national team or APR,” Ndayisaba explained in an interview with Saturday Sport, revealing that he has already gone into coaching.

He is also pursuing a career in football refereeing where he has already handled second division league matches.

Ndayisaba was born in Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura on March 15, 1989 to Hamissi Kagiriki and Neema Nyirabazungu (RIP), he is the last born in a family of six children, three boys and three girls.

His mother, Nyirabazungu passed away in 2002. He attended Bujumbura-based Ngagara primary school before his family returned from exile.

Upon returning to Rwanda in 1996, and in 2002, he joined Ruhango district- based Tambwe secondary school for O’level before heading to GS Gahini for A’level.

After senior five, Ndayisaba quit Gahini for Saint Joseph Kagbayi from where he completed his secondary school in 2007. He is currently a fourth year student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in law at Institute of Lay Adventists of Kigali (INILAK).

The former GS Gahini student told this paper that he drew his athletics inspiration from his compatriot Dieudonne Disi, a former 5000m and 10000m national champion.

Early days

Ndayisaba was a football player more than a runner until 2004 when he decided to entirely concentrate on athletics under the guidance of former youth team coach Charles Nkazamyambi.

Although Ndayisaba was always a key player for his former schools’ football teams, he won nothing notable for any.

"In 2004, when I was still new in athletics, I represented former Gitarama prefecture (current Muhanga district) and finished second in the national youth championship behind Islam Mulinda and since then I never went back to football,” he recalls.

In late 2004, he represented Rwanda at the East African post-primary Games (FEASSA Games) where he finished third in 200m to help Rwanda’s relay team finish first.

Junior level career

Former APR runner, Ndayisaba featured as a junior athlete for four years (2004-2008) at New Athletics Stars (NAS) before entering the senior level in 2008 and joined APR the same year.

In 2006, he was part of Rwanda’s junior relay team that finished second at the IAAF Africa Zone five championships held in Nairobi, Kenya. In 2007 still in relay, he was part of Rwanda’s team at the All Africa Games staged in Algeria but Rwanda was knocked out in the preliminaries.

Senior level career

His first tournament as a senior runner was the 2008 IAAF Africa Zone V championships held in Kampala, Uganda. He won silver in 200m and bronze in 100m respectively.

"It was a pretty good start of my senior career, the tournament showed me that I can achieve more and made me even work harder,” he says.

In 2009, after spending six months in residential camp intensified training in Dar-es-Salaam, he returned to the country for further 2010 Commonwealth Games preps. He improved on his times to break Mulinda’s record of 22.81 in 200m. Ndayisaba clocked 22.60.

In 2010, he featured in the IAAF African Championships held in Nairobi, Kenya and reached the quarter-finals in Men’s 200m competition.

Later, he represented the country at the 2010 New Delhi, India Commonwealth Games but failed to go past the first round, clocking 11.44 in 100m, and 22.85 in 200m respectively.

In 2011, he represented the country at the All Africa Games held in Maputo, Mozambique. He finished fifth but failed to get a ticket to the 2012 London summer Olympics.

In 2012, Ndayisaba competed in the Central and East African championships held in Dar-es-Salaam to win silver in 200m and bronze in 100m.

In 2011, he also represented the country at the World University Games held in Shenzhen, China. He was eliminated in the semi-finals.

In 2013, Ndayisaba was the sole representative of Rwanda at the East Africa inter-University Games also held in Dar-es-Salaam to finish second in 100m and third in 200m respectively.

He was also meant to represent the country at the World inter-University Games staged in Kazan, Russia in August 2013 but failed to get the Visa on time.

His last competition

Ndayisaba’s last competition was on May 5, 2014 at the national championships held at Amahoro stadium. He finished second in 100&200m respectively behind champion Pascal Nshimiyimana.

"The national championship is my last competition as a runner. I really wanted to finish my career after 2014 Commonwealth Games but unfortunately I didn’t get qualification.”

Why retire young?

"Athletics is not promising me the future I wish to have, so it’s time to try something else before it’s too late. I need to look for my future elsewhere. I am soon finishing my bachelor’s degree and I need to concentrate on my profession,” he explained.

RAF speaks out?

Rwanda Athletics Federation technical director, Jean Pierre Ndacyayisenga said, "It’s entirely his decision and everyone supports him. Besides, he’s entering coaching career which is good for young talents. He will be missed; he’s always been a good athlete for both club and country.”

What does his coach say?

APR Athletics Cub head coach, Innocent Rwabuhihi told Saturday Sport, "it’s not official yet, I also hear it from others but he has not told me about his plans himself. Nonetheless, if he seeks my advice, I am ready to help him as I have always done for him as an athlete.”