VILLAGE URUGWIRO - THE International Olympic Committee (IOC) has bestowed President Paul Kagame with the 2010 IOC award for ‘Inspiring Young People’ around the world.

The IOC chairman and president, Jacques Rogge, presented the award to President Kagame at Village Urugwiro, yesterday.

Rogge, who is on his maiden visit to Rwanda, told reporters that the IOC recognised the President for his great support to the development of sport in the country.

"We really wanted to honour him and thank him,” the IOC president said.

During his meeting with the President, Rogge said they talked about the role played by sports in the society.

"Sport is not just an athletic performance, it is about education, sport brings health and it is about development,” Rogge added.

The Minister of Sports, Youth and Culture, Protais Mitali, who attended the meeting, said that the head of IOC pledged more support to Rwanda.

"The IOC boss promised a long term partnership in developing sports in the country. The IOC together with the local Olympic Committee and the Ministry, are going to identify areas in sports that need support so that we can do all it takes to turn Rwanda into a fully sporting country,” Mitali added.

Since 1985, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) presents an annual IOC Trophy, with a different theme each year.

The Trophy recognises individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions towards sports in their respective countries.

During his visit to the country, Rogge officiated at the closing ceremony of a two-day Peace-in-Sport seminar which ended yesterday in Kigali.
 
The seminar attracted all Cecafa member states, National Olympics committees and local sports federations.

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