The second edition of the annual ‘Inyanza twataramye’ Cultural and Sports festival starts on Friday and ends on Saturday in Rwanda’s cultural hub Nyanza District.

The two- day event, set to attract hundreds of people from all over the country, is themed "Taking culture to the future generations”. will comprise traditional shows including songs, poetry, arts, and crafts, alongside traditional food preparations, and, for the first time, sports.

Among the sports activities which will form the core of the various activities for the day include ‘Nyanza Heritage Tennis Tournament’, and a cycling race from Kigali to Nyanza that will attract all the national cycling clubs.

There will also be football match between two Southern Province-based national league sides Amagaju FC and AS Muhanga at Nyanza stadium on Saturday.

Speaking to Times Sport in an exclusive interview, the Mayor of Nyanza District, Abdallah Murenzi, revealed that this year’s edition includes sports so as to initiate their long plan of transforming Rwanda’s heart and centre of cultural enlightenment, Nyanza the county’s Olympic city as well as making the festival more enjoyable.”

"The whole event is free of charge to anyone because we need to allow people relish our tradition and explore the tourism, sports and cultural centre of Rwanda,” said Murenzi.

He added that the sports activities, which have been organised in partnership with respective local federations, will involve rewards to the respective winners.

He noted that, "The festival targets not only Rwandans but also visitors from Eastern Africa and foreign tourists who are in the country to have the opportunity to stop by and enjoy some of the performances”.

The traditional shows will take place at the Rwesero Art Museum and will be spearheaded by national cultural dance troupe ‘Urucyerereza’ and Gakondo Group, of local traditional icon ‘Intore Masamba’.

Meanwhile, the planned cycling event will attract the seven local cycling clubs namely; Cine Elmay, Benediction Club, Rapide Bicycle Club, Les Amis Sportifs, Kiramuruzi Cycling Team, Cycling Club for All and Fly Cycling Club.

The tennis tournament will comprise three categories; Men’s singles and Women’s singles, including the top eight in the country, as well as a total of 16 amateurs.

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