ALEX ARAIRE is the new president of the Rwanda Rugby Federation (RRF) after seeing off competition from Phillip Gakiragi of Remera Buffaloes.

 "I am very pleased and looking forward to laying out strategies to develop the game of rugby in Rwanda,” Araire said after being voted by 7 of the 8 rugby club representatives .

The Muhanga RFC affiliate who has been the vice president of RRF revealed that his past experiences will play a key role in his new term in office.

Araire replaces Otto van Muhinda who has been in charge of the local rugby body for four years and requested the former to follow in his footsteps and take rugby in the country to another level.

The Confederation of African Rugby (CAR) representative Richard Omwela who was present at the elections was impressed with the development of the game in Rwanda.

Tharcisse Kamanda is the new secretary general while Jean Baptiste Bizumuremyi was voted as vice president and Olivier Nikwigize is the treasurer.

The general assembly will soon convene again to appoint a technical director and his deputy ahead of the season that commences on November 20.