Government’s decision to give priority to develop the infrastructure in preparation for the 2009 Africa Youth championship has affected plans to develop the proposed High Altitude Training Center in the Northern Province.

Basing on recommendations made by the International Athletics Association Federation (Iaaf), the center for long distance athletics is supposed to be constructed in the district of Byumba.

But government, through the ministry of Youth, Culture and Sports (Mijespoc), top priority has to be given to improving the infrastructures including renovating the two stadiums Amahoro and Nyamirambo to meet Fifa and Caf standards.

Rwanda won the right to host the U-20 Africa Youth Championship in 2009 and with just over a year to go, work on improving most of the requirements (infrastructure-wise) is yet get underway. 

According to Joseph Rangira, the Mijespoc Sports infrastructure manager; the center would help to develop long Rwanda’s distance runners.

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