The 2018 National Unified Games came to a climax on Sunday at Amahoro stadium with the best performers walking away with medals.

The multidisciplinary games were organised by Special Olympics Rwanda in partnership with the Ministry of Sports and Culture  (MINISPOC).

It attracted about 250 athletes with intellectual disability from nine districts competed in four different disciplines namely; athletics, football, Boccia, and swimming.

Rutsiro dominated both the female and male swimming categories with athletes like Helena Ayinkamiye, Felicite Mukakagenzi, Peruth Nyiriminani and Jacques Kayitare (Male) striking medals and tickets to the 2019 World Intellectual Disability Games Abu Dhabi.

In athletics, Alice Mukamana, Marceline Mushimiyimana and Anita Mbarushimana were the top three performers in women’s 100 metres, while Jean Bosco Gatete outpaced contenders to win the men’s category – the four are all from Muhanga district.

Kicukiro district team won the Boccia competition, while Kamonyi emerged the best in football, followed by Ngororero.

The team to represent the country in Abu Dhabi will be selected from the two teams.

Rwanda will send a delegation of 40 to Abu Dhabi next year including; 5 Boccia players, 11 footballers, 7 swimmers and 3 runners and 14 staff members.

On behalf of MINISPOC, the Director of Sports Emmanuel Bugingo promised the ministry’s support to prepare the athletes for the Abu Dhabi Games come March 2019.

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