RWANDA National Olympic Committee has removed boxing and swimming teams from the national contingent which will represent the country at Africa Youth Games slated for May 22 to 31 in Gaborone, Botswana. The Chef de Mission Elie Manirarora told Times Sport yesterday, “The two sports federations have not fulfilled the requirements needed to compete in the Games,” “Both boxing and swimming federations have not made any efforts to secure legal status just like other federations which will represent Rwanda in Gaborone games,” “Secondly, we have followed and controlled the way federations are holding their training sessions. Boxing and swimming teams have not had any reasonable preparations and they have no hope of helping our nation gun for medals,” “Winning medals in Gaborone is our sole aim and any federation which doesn’t show any sign of winning honours in the African Youth Games, will be dropped,” added Manirarora. With boxing and swimming federations out, athletes such as boxer Jean Pierre Cyuzuzo (light weight-64kg) and swimming duo of Isiaka Iradukunda (50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke & 50m freestyle) and Alphonsine Agahozo (50m freestyle & 50m breast stroke) will miss on a chance to exhibit and gain experience and exposure at the second continental youth games.
