All IS set for the first ever National Sports Awards in Rwanda, according to the organisers, East African Youth Development Agency. The ceremony is scheduled for June 30 at Marriott Hotel.

The event is aimed at recognising local sportsmen and women, past and present, for their contribution towards the growth of Rwandan sports over the past 23 years.

For the last four years, East African Youth Development Agency has been carrying out research and awarding individuals with exceptional achievements in different fields such as Media and ICT and, this year, they decided to extend to the sports fraternity.

The agency’s Managing Director, Emmanue Mugisha, noted that, "Every community has its legends and such people deserve recognition and appreciation while they’re still alive.”

"The main objective of this recognition is to create a society with mindful people, mostly the youth to start thinking above and beyond themselves, for the greater good of society,” he stated.

Up to 15 categories will be recognised, including; Life Achievement, Best Team (Club), Young Sportsman and Woman of the Year, Coach of the Year, Best Fans’ Club, Federation of the Year and Best Sponsor, Best Sportsperson with physical disability, Best Sports Administrator, Top performing Sports Government Institution, Most Excelling School, Best Corporate company and Sports Media partner.

Mugisha says that his agency is working closely with individual federations and some experienced local sports journalists as well as having consultations with former sportsmen and women to select the winners in each category.

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