Former national team wicketkeeper and swashbuckling batsman, Prince Uwimanishaka, was laid to rest yesterday at Rusororo cemetery.

The 21-year-old batsman passed away on Sunday evening at Kibagabaga hospital in Kigali.

Hundreds of mourners including; cricket players, fans, family members and friends broke in tears as they bade adieu to the youngster, as they watched the proceedings closer to the grave.

Uwimanishaka’s mother, Yvonne Nibaseke, who was beside him at hospital before he passed on, looked distraught and calm in her long farewell speech.

On behalf of the cricket fraternity, Rwanda Cricket Association (RCA) president, Eddie Mugarura said he has never met a kid as talented and committed as Uwimanishaka.

"I first got to know him (Uwimanishaka) in 2015, because of his talent and strong desire to learn. Ever since, he has improved to be one of the best players in the country. He was a valuable asset to his club (Telugu) and the national team, he will be dearly missed,” sorrowful Mugarura said.

Former teammates at Telugu cricket club and national cricket team alongside the national team coach Martin Sugi, were among the first to arrive for the funeral services.

Tactician Sugi, veteran Kenya international, who had named the deceased on his squad for the forthcoming regional qualifiers for the Cricket World Cup next month, was emotional and distressed in his speech after losing his best batsman.

”Uwimanishaka trained like a winner, played like a winner and behaved like a winner. It’s very heart-breaking to see such a youngster leaving us so soon, he will forever live in in our hearts,” Sugi said while paying his final tributes to the deceased.

Uwimanishaka was born on November 21, 1997, in a family of five, two boys and three girls.

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