Frw12 needed for Olympics preps

Rwanda National Olympic Committee (RNOC) is looking for Frw12 millions to prepare the Beijing Olympics bound athletes.

And it’s in that respect that members, while attending the committee’s annual general assembly, collectively resolved to look for sponsors with immediate effect. The meeting was held at hotel Novotel on Sunday.

The funds will facilitate the preparation of the athletics and swimming team ahead of the Beijing Olympics scheduled for August 8-24.

According to RNOC chief Ignace Beraho, who presided over the meeting, the decision to seek for sponsorship stems from what he described as the ministry of sports failure to provide the required funds on time.

"It’s time we start soliciting for funds to help in assembling the Beijing team. The Ministry of Sport and Culture is willing to offer its package but we don’t know when," Beraho said.

Beraho further added that while waiting for the Sport Ministry’s sponsorship package, the national Olympic body will start searching for support elsewhere.

Beijing Games preparation was the main point for discussion but other important issues, among them, the 2007/08 plan of action, approving the 2008 activities as well the report for the year 2007 activities, were also discussed.

Initially, five disciplines in which Rwanda would be represented had been earmarked but the list has come down to three after cycling failed to land a wildcard while boxing failed to qualify at the just concluded second African qualifying event in Windhoek, Namibia.

In athletics, which is Rwanda’s main hope for a medal in Beijing has so far qualified two; Dieudonne Disi (10.000m) and Epiphanie Nyirabarame (women marathon).

However, more athletics still have a chance to beat that minimum required qualification time when the Africa Athletics Championship rolls off at the end of next month in Ethiopia.

In Paralympics, Elmas Muvunyi (100m & 200m), Jean de Dieu Nkundabera (800m & 1500m) and Lysha Kwizera are the athletes likely to take part in the Manchester Paralympics international championship in June hoping to secure their places at the next Paralympics Games in Beijing.

2004 Athens Paralympics bronze medalist, Jean de Dieu Nkundabera has already qualified for the Beijing Games in 800m during last year’s All Africa Games in Algeria but wants to secure a slot in the 1500m.

Ends