Sunday

Final (men)

Police 35-34 Muzinga (Burundi)

Final (Women)

Gorillas 23-20 ES Mukungi

RWANDA National Police handball club are champions of the 2014 Handball Genocide Memorial Tournament held over the weekend at Kimisagara Youth Center.

Police beat Muzinga from Burundi 35-34 in a pulsating final to add a second trophy in their cabin this season after they won the ‘Labour Day’ cup in May.

Seven clubs including Muzinga from Burundi took part in the tournament. Tanzania’s Ngome which was supposed to be in group A with Police, APR and UR-CASS was disqualified after it arrived late.

The national league leaders, Police finished on top in group A with maximum six points after beating defending champions APR 20-18 and UR-CASS 28-15 to set up a semi final encounter with Gicumbi who finished second in group B.

Police registered a 27-21 win over Gicumbi in the semis to storm the finals against Muzinga, who had earlier eliminated APR after a 20-19 win.

The Police team coach, Assistant Inspector of Police Antoine Ntabanganyimana hailed his side for showcasing a winning spirit and teamwork which guided them to the championship.

"We were well prepared because our opponents were all strong teams,” AIP Ntabanganyimana said.

"We were tied on 20 goals but players, in added minutes, scored a winning goal, which they defended well as champions,” he added.

It is the same spirit he said they will continue to showcase to ensure that they also win the national league.

Meanwhile, Gorillas handball club lifted the title after defeating ES Mukingi 23-20 in the final of the women category.

Prior to their final qualification, Gorillas had eliminated the UR-CE, (former KIE) in semi-finals stage after a 12-8 win. The women category attracted four clubs namely the Gorillas, ES Mukingi, UR-CE and Mwendo Handball club.

The Tournament was organised in a bid to pay tribute to the sportsmen and women who lost their lives during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.