Nine sports federations risk suspension over lack of legal status

Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) president Robert Bayigamba has urged all local sports federations to attain legal status or risk missing out on financial support from the government and other international bodies. Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee (RNOSC) president Robert Bayigamba. / Courtesy Bayigamba’s call comes after the Ministry of Sports and Culture (MINISPOC) recently suspended nine federations that have been operating in the country without legal status. The suspended federations include; Rwanda Amateur Boxing Association (RABA), Rwanda Table Tennis Federation (FRTT), Rwanda Federation for Sports in Universities (FRSU), Rwanda Chess Federation (FERWADE), Rwanda Swimming Federation (FRN). Others are; Rwanda Golf Union (RGU), Rwanda Association for Traditional Sports (ARJT), Rwanda Association for Sports Medics (ARDEMS) and Rwanda Judo Federation (FRJ). In an exclusive interview with Saturday Sport, Bayigamba confirmed the suspension of the nine federations, revealing that this was done in a bid to end the “chaos and disorderliness” that he said has been going on for a long time. “These Federations were suspended over failure to comply with the MINISPOC and Rwanda Governance Board condition to get legal status. The affected federations are not allowed to do any activity until they do what is required. They have been warned several times,” revealed Bayigamba. In August last year, the Ministry of Sports and Culture signed performance contracts with all local sports federations and associations that had legal status to ensure accountability and development of the different sports disciplines. The former sports minister added, “The issue of legal status is important because it allows accountability but also helps these federations get partners (local and international), and so we hope that those that have been suspended will try to put their house in order before being recognized and allowed to operate,” Currently, there are a total of 34 sports federations and associations registered by RNOSC of which only 21 have got the legal status while four others are yet to begin their operations having been established recently. The four which are also required to first get legal status before they begin operations include; Rwanda Triathlon Federation, Rwanda Gymnastique Federation, Rwanda Tchoukball Federation and Rwanda Skating Federation. editorial@newtimes.co.rw