President Paul Kagame has urged responsible institutions to help develop potential among Rwandans to compete at the international level in various disciplines and ensure that no potential is wasted.

The President was speaking yesterday to over 2000 participants including artists, members of the media and sportsmen and women as part of the Meet the President series.

Pointing to the need for government and individuals to complement each other, Kagame called on talented individuals to work with institutions to develop their potential:

"It is the responsibility of both the individual and institutions to work together to ensure that individuals with talent are able to fulfill their full potential.

When we let talent go to waste both the individual and the country lose,” President Kagame said.

The Head of State added that it was not acceptable for Rwanda to lag behind when there are individuals with the talent to compete not only regionally but globally.

He said he could not accept that the country lacks people of exceptional talent such as in sports, arts among other skills as some have proven their potential both in local and international competitions.

The Head of State thanked all participants for their critical role in national development stressing the need to use available resources to support them.

The event which was also attended by top government officials took place at the Kigali Convention Centre.

Congratulating Rwandan athletes, including the long distance runner Salome Nyirarukundo who recently won the Kigali Peace half marathon as well as the Rwanda Cycling team among others, the President added that their success is proof of what can be achieved.

"The talent we have in arts, sports and in media are a good example to show that it is possible, we are ready to provide our support but you must also be willing to put the support into use,” he said.

President Kagame concluded his remarks by calling on all present to be full participants in improving their respective sectors:

"Let us not just be spectators on the sidelines. Let us not be the ones who claim to be talented only in words but not in action,” Kagame said.

"To achieve this, we must have the discipline and humility and the strength to improve yourself,” Kagame added.

Participants who joined the interactive meeting with the President are members of Indangabigwi, Imparirwakubarusha and Impamyabigwi, three Itorero regrouping artists, sportsmen and women and members of the media.

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