Twelve-year-old Divine Dusabe has been tipped by Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) to become a star athlete after a record breaking-performance at the Nyanza Peace Marathon held on Saturday in Nyanza town, Southern Province.

Dusabe from Busasamana Sector of Nyanza District and a senior one student at Saint Esprit Secondary School located in Nyanza town, competed in the women’s 15km race that covered the outskirts of the town.

Incredibly, in her first ever competitive race, she finished second among the best three runners from Nyanza district.

Dusabe clocked one hour, 11 minutes and 41 seconds, behind Stephanie Niyodusenga, who came first after using 1:09:33. The race was won by Céline Iradukunda, who used 1:00:48.

"I am so happy because this is my first time in a competition and I can’t believe I managed to finish the race – I normally just jog with my elder brother but not for such a long distance,” she said after the race.

Visibly jolly, Dusabe noted, "I came here to compete, but inside me I had a feeling I would come among the best, if ran and completed the race, I am very happy and can’t wait to tell my parents at home.”

The teenager says she want to become a professional runner in future, something that RAF vice president, Thomas Kajuga promised to make a reality.

He says the federation is going to keep a close eye on her development, "We will take her to Gicumbi high performance training center to undergo proper training.”

"She is a real talent and the federation will support her to fulfill her full potential and one day become an international star. The main objective for these competitions is talent detection and I think it’s bearing fruits so far,” said Kajuga.

Last week in Musanze, 17-year-old one-armed Emmanuel Niyibizi was guaranteed full support to explore his talent by the National Paralympics Committee (NPC) after finishing second in the men’s category for Musanze residents.

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