The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Zephanie Niyonkuru, has called on children to not only nurture their sports talents but also excel in their studies.

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Niyonkuru was addressing to 749 young talents who recently completed a two-week Isonga training camp in Nyanza District, emphasizing that success in both areas would be beneficial for their future.

The camp was co-organised by the Ministry of Sports in partnership with Isonga Project.

The training camp, which was in its second edition, featured several unique elements, including the participation of 120 children who showed exceptional skills and dedication in refereeing and 30 others trained in basic sports medicine.

Niyonkuru lauded the students for their commitment shown during the camp and challenged them to focus on their studies as the new academic year approaches.

"We encourage you to continue playing while studying because you never know what the future holds. It’s important to succeed in sports, but excelling in your studies can also be crucial for your future," Niyonkuru said.

One of the coaches, Scholastique Bitukuze, who coaches volleyball hopefuls, highlighted the significance of the camp in shaping the children’s future.

"This camp is a crucial opportunity for these young athletes to develop their talents and learn important life skills. But what’s even more important is that they understand the value of education alongside their sports ambitions," she said.

Isonga Project was launched in May 2021 by the Ministry of Sports in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD) with an agenda to foster young talent in sports. The first cohort of the project is set to conclude in December.

Beyond developing children&039;s talents and connecting them with professional coaches, Isonga Project has constructed and renovated 27 sports grounds in 14 schools selected to benefit from the project.

Additionally, the Ministry of Sports, through the Isonga initiative, organized campaigns to encourage girls' participation in sports, with the "National Talent Day" being introduced for the first time in late 2023 and set to be held again this September.

Jean Bosco Ncuti, a 13-year-old participant, shared his experience at the camp. "This camp has taught me a lot about teamwork and discipline.

I love playing football, but now I understand that doing well in school is just as important. I want to be great in both," he said.