Students who participated in the 2007 national athletics championship have urged the athletics federation to always consider prizes prior to organizing any event.

The 72 students are agitating for the money prizes they won in the first national athletics championship held on December 8-9 at Amahoro national stadium, Remera. 

"We have been coming here for three weeks spontaneously,” one of complainant told Times Sport but on condition that his identity remains anonymous.

The students said that both the Federation of School Sports (FRSS) and Rwanda Athletics Federation (RAF) should make sure that they have prizes to offer before arranging any competition.

"They have not given us the prizes and they will not refund us the transport we have used in all the three weeks,” the students said at RAF offices at Amahoro stadium.

The main organizer of the event RAF was supposed to award Frw48.000 to each winner, totaling to Frw3.456.000 in money prizes for all the 72 students.

But according to RAF officials, the athletes must be patient as they (RAF) wait for the event sponsors to release their pledges (in money terms).

FRSS, however, has given them Monday as the final day to give the athletes their money.

At the awarding ceremony the first five students were given Gold, Silver, Bronze medals and a trophy for each team.

The December event attracted 366 athletes from primary and secondary schools, Ministry of Defense, the Police and the civil society.

Ends