Minispoc calls for early preps ahead of 2015 All Africa Games

The Ministry of Sports and Culture has urged local sports federations to start preparing athletes for next year’s All African Games which will take place in the Republic of Congo from September 4–19. Emmanuel Bugingo, the Director of Sports in Minispoc says late and inadequate preparations for major events have been the biggest obstacle for Rwandan athletes to win medals in international competitions. “They need to start training their athletes early enough and identify the right people to send. We don’t want to just send athletes to take part in such competitions but to compete and win medals,” Bugingo said. Athletes from different African countries will compete in 20 sports disciplines at the 2015 African Games and they include two additional disability sports (Athletics and Swimming) They are: Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Boxing, Cycling, Fencing, Football, Handball, Judo, Karate, Pétanque, Rugby, Swimming, Tennis, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling. Rwanda could send athletes in eleven disciplines namely: handball, tennis, football, cycling, fencing, athletics taekwondo, indoor and beach volleyball and sports for the disabled. In 2011, in Maputo, Mozambique, Rwanda was represented in basketball (women and men), boxing, cycling, karate, swimming, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, beach volleyball, athletics, and sports for the disabled. Paralympian Hermas Muvunyi won two medals (gold) in the 400m and (silver) in 800m. The 2015 edition marks the 50th anniversary of the Games, as well as their return to Brazzaville, which hosted the first edition in 1965.