IAAF chief hails local athletics progress

International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Boss Diack Lamina hailed the progress made in local athletics during his two-day visit to Rwanda last week. The 81-year-old Senegalese-born Lamina was in the country from March 12 to 14. He has been IAAF boss since November, 1999 and his current mandate ends in August this year. Alongside Rwanda Athletics Federation (Raf) President, Sports Minister Julienne Uwacu and Kicukiro district mayor Jules Ndamage, Lamina launched children athletics programme at Nyarugugu primary school, Kicukiro district on Friday. “It was a great honor receiving IAAF president, he visited some of our projects including children’s athletics programme and was impressed,” Jean Damascène Nkezabo, the National Athletics Chairman said. Lamina, who is a former long jump athlete, also said that the programme at Nyarugugu primary school is a good initiative and if supported, can produce professionals for the country in future. He also promised to support it whenever possible. “The programme is a great idea; it’s a good way of producing and developing talent at a tender age. I believe Rwanda can earn professional and world class athletes from here if the programme is well sustained,” Lamina said. editorial@newtimes.co.rw