After landing a second gold in the annual Kigali International Peace Marathon last Sunday, Rwanda’s star middle and long distance runner Salome Nyirarukundo is now in India where she is set to compete at this year’s 10-kilometre Break Course in Bangalore. The 21-year old left on Friday morning aboard a Kenya Airways flight. The one-day event takes place this Sunday and Nyirarukundo will be expected back in the country on May 29. The two-time half peace marathon gold medalist will be making her debut appearance in India but says her goal is to make sure she earns a podium finish so she can be signed on a permanent contract for ambassadorship of global sportswear Nike. “I have a facility contract with Nike as my main sponsor, if I can perform well then it will be an opportunity to get a full contract with Nike. I am ready to take up the challenge,” she told Saturday Sport yesterday. She said her opportunity to compete in Bangalore is courtesy of Global Sports Communication, a management agency which protects the interest of many world-class athletes all over the world, including in Kenya and Uganda. “As my agent, the company caters for everything, for instance; searching for what competition to race in, the necessary requirements for travel visa, and bears all the costs.” The APR Athletics Club runner Nyirarukundo finished in a time of 01:28:53 striking gold and win Rwf1 million in prize at the 14th edition of Kigali Peace Marathon last Sunday. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
