The fifth edition of the Handball Genocide Memorial tournament, set for June 16- 17, will involve 20 teams drawn from around the region.

Last year, Police Handball Club retained the Genocide Memorial Cup after beating APR 36-21 to win it for the fourth time in a row.

Uganda’s Police Handball Club dominated the ladies’ category after defeating Gorilla (Rwanda) 25-17. 

Jean-Paul Ngarambe, secretary general of the Rwanda Handball Federation, says the invites for 20 teams has already been sent out adding that he expects all to be honoured.  

"We have already sent out invitations to eleven countries and expect all of them to confirm participation because they previously expressed their interest to come and be part of this tournament,” Ngarambe said.

"The tournament gets better and more competitive every year and we hope that this is a befitting way to honour Genocide victims as well as educate people about the dangers of ethnic hatred and bad leadership,” he added.

The annual event will attract teams in both men and women categories.

Last year’s edition attracted 15 teams from Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda with 10 teams in the men’s category, while the remaining five were tussled it out in the women’s fray. 

Teams from Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, DR Congo and Burundi are expected to take part in this year’s edition.

Over 20 people associated with the handball federation, who include players, coaches and administrators, were killed during the Genocide, which claimed more than one million people.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw