Sports was part of King Mutara III Rudahigwa's everyday life considering his dedication in promoting football as the country's number one sport.

King Mutara III Rudahigwa is one of Imena Heroes who will be celebrated on February 1.

Imena are known for their extraordinary acts for the Nation marked by sacrifice and example.

Rudahigwa was a remarkable figure in Rwanda’s history, known for his leadership, modernization efforts, and commitment to his people’s welfare.

Despite all odds, the resilient king maintained efforts to promote the wellbeing and development of Rwandans, including; fighting illiteracy and poverty and fighting against Ubuhake.

He has history with sports in Rwanda given his contribution to creating space for Rwandans as a tool driving to unity.

What was special about King Rudahigwa was his love for modern sports which were not very developed at that time, especially in Africa.

He played Tennis and Football. He also had a football team made up of chiefs, called "Amaregura". When they often went to play, they met a team of Europeans who lived in Rwanda.

Football was originally introduced by Catholic Church missionaries in the 1930s. Rudahigwa embraced the sport and, while the colonialists brought it with a hidden agenda, the king used it to unite Rwandans. His sense of heroism prevailed.

According to 94-year-old Speciose Mukaruziga, King Rudahigwa created the competition in the country where he ordered the chiefs to found teams. A number of clubs were created and competitions started in the country.

Some teams created at the time include current topflight side Amagaju which was founded by chief Rutaremera, Ibihogo of Nzaramba, Amaregura of King Mutara, Rutongo and Kigali Sports of Rwubusisi, Amasata of Nkuranga at Gasoro and Mutende in Nyanza among others.

Mukaruziga said that football was not known before Rudahigwa’s reign until the king started to introduce it in schools besides ordering chiefs (Abatware) to start their own clubs.

"He found the colonialists forging hatred to bring in confrontation the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups, in disguise of seeking to usher the country to independence but he tried to build strong relationship between Rwandans by creating competitions so that Rwandans can enjoy,” Mukaruziga told Times Sport.

Various football competitions at the time were introduced among Rwandans and Rudahigwa pledged that winners would earn cows and trophies.

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According to Innocent Rwubusisi Ruterambuko, the son of late Chief Rwubusisi, football was very competitive in the country and the competitions played a crucial role in bringing back a sense of peace and hope for the future among Rwandans.

Some big players that stood out in various competitions of the time include Chief Nshozamihigo, the son of the king Kigeli IV Rwabugiri.

Another great player at that time was Frederico Maboneza who played in the Amagaju team of Chief Rutaremara Rwugubugi of Ngenzi in Kibeho, Claudien Karemera who played in Mutara III Rudagigwa’s team and Calixte Kabukire who played for Ibihogo, Amagaju and Amaregura.

Football was the latest sports discipline introduced in the country joining a long lineup of traditional sports like High Jump (Urukiramede), Gatebe Gatoki, Guheka Umwanana, Ubute, Gucamata, Kumangamanga, Kubuguza, Akamarimari, Kwesa Ibyishimo, Kwihishanya, Gukaruruka and Ubufindo among many other sports which were played even before Rudahigwa’s reign.

Rudahigwa’s love for football inspired him to avail infrastructures where teams would hold competitions.

He built a stadium in Rwinkwavu in Kayonza district. It was at the stadium where his team ‘Amaregura’ would host its home games.

In 1956, he built another stadium in Nyanza. The stadium still exists and it is located near the King’s Palace at ‘Mu Rukari.’

After football became very competitive, other teams which belonged to the Catholic Missionaries later joined the competitions. Some include the Good Army which was founded by Father Schumacher in Kabgayi.

At that time, these teams played many friendly matches and sometimes they would go to play with other teams in Bujumbura, Burundi and Bukavu-based teams in ex-Zaire.

Football also played a huge role in promoting cooperation with neighboring countries.

READ ALSO: Rwandans should never forget King Rudahigwa Mutara III

Born to King Musinga and Kankazi ka Mbanzabigwi in March 1911, Mutara III Rudahigwa died aged 48, under mysterious circumstances when Rwanda was in a difficult political situation. Rudahigwa was enthroned as King of Rwanda on 16 November 1931.

During his adolescence, Rudahigwa attended secondary education at the current Groupe Scolaire Butare which was at the time referred to as Groupe Scolaire de la Charité, named after its founders (The Charity Brothers).

After graduation, he became an assistant to his father, which according to historians, is among his first heroic acts.