Sports scribes honor fallen colleagues

Rwanda Independent Sports Journalists Association yesterday paid tribute to fallen sports personalities that were killed in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

 Sports scribes, sports federation officials, relatives of fallen sports personalities and ministry of sports officials took part in the day’s activities that included a church service at St. Familie, a 5km walk from Kigali city center to Gisozi memorial site and a night vigil held at Amahoro indoor stadium.

Over 100 sports personalities that include coaches, players, referees, and former administrators were killed in the 1994 Genocide.

According to the Secretary General of the Rwanda Independent Sports Journalists Association Jean dieu Bagirisha, there are plans to make the event an annual occasion.

"We always honor people, who were killed in the Genocide, so we are exploring ways of recording all fallen sports personalities, who were killed in the Genocide and honor them annually.

"We think this event can even be spread around the whole country in the coming years,” Bagirisha noted.

The Permanent Secretary in the ministry of Sports and Culture, Jean Pierre Karabaranga, expressed gratitude towards those, who took part in the commemoration to stay clear of ethnic divisions and people to practice such evils.

"We are here to honor sports personalities, who were killed because of their ethnicity. All of you who are here should endeavor to stay clear of bad ethnic divisions. We should teach people to embrace each other regardless of whether their ethnic belonging,” Karabaranga said.

As part of the commemoration, various sports events are held annually in honor of the fallen sports personalities that were killed in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Some of the events include; Rutsindura volleyball memorial tournament, Mukura memorial tournament (football), Gisembe memorial tourney (Basketball).

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