Former Rwandan footballer Francois Bayingana was among thousands of members of the diaspora in the United States who cast their votes during the presidential and parliamentary elections that took place on Sunday, July 14.

Bayingana formerly played for Rayon Sports before quitting professional football to continue his studies in the United States over 30 years ago.

He went on to pursue a new career in education where he is currently a School administrator at South Bend Community School in Indiana. He is also a pastor at non-denominational church known as Zion Temple Michiana.

It was Bayingana’s third time participating in presidential polls where he casted his vote in Mishawaka, Indiana, a civic duty he was excited to fulfill.

"It was very important for me as a Rwandan citizen to cast my vote even though I am outside of Rwanda. I felt that it was my civic duty to do so," Bayingana told Times Sport from his base in the US.

"Casting a vote is very important as a Rwandan. I am very proud of my country,” he added.

Bayingana as a footballer

Born in Nyamiyaga in Butare, currently Huye District, Bayingana’s football career dates back in his high school days. He played for Rayon Sports for over half a decade before relocating to US to further his studies.

" I began my career during my last years of high school. I was at Karubanda Seminary when I began to play for Rayon Sports. I played for 6 years for the club and I was selected to play for the national Rwandan team three times. I stopped playing when I came to USA to study," he said in an interview.

During his time at the Blues, he played with club’s legendary players like Chrysostome Sembagare, Jean Baptiste Kayiranga, Brave Gasana and Aloys Byungura among others.

His greatest memories at Rayon Sports?

"One of my best memories at Rayon Sport is the time we won four major trophies in 1989,” he recalls.

Currently, Bayingana lives in Granger, Indiana. He and his wife are celebrating 32 years of marriage this July. The couple is blessed with four children —three daughters and one son—and a son-in-law.