For a long time, witchcraft has been associated with football in Rwanda, mainly in the National football league. Recently, the case was also cited in cricket, 21 year-old batsman, Prince Uwimanishaka died mysteriously with many people citing the involvement of witchcraft Sharon Kantengwa asked a cross-section of people in the sports fraternity whether Witchcraft in sports is a myth or reality? If witchcraft was real, Africans would have won the World Cup. Death is normal and people do not die because they have been bewitched. ‘African magic’ is therefore a mindset based on false belief. Delphine Uwase, business lady and football fan *********************** I have not heard about anyone involved in witchcraft in volleyball but generally, myths about witchcraft in sports are harming its development in Rwanda, because when people start believing in witchcraft they stop investing their physical efforts, technically and tactically and instead spend their time in witchcraft, which is wrong. These wrong myths uproot the efforts put in developing sports. Adalbert Mfashimana, secretary general, Rwanda Volleyball Federation *********************** I personally do not think that witchcraft works although I have interacted with people who practice it and believe in its powers. What they say may sound true but I don’t believe that it brings success. These beliefs however have a very big impact on the professionalism of Rwandan sports teams because I have witnessed instances where club supporters are involved in witchcraft. That alone proves, to which extent witchcraft beliefs have taken up so many people’s minds. It affects the development of not just sports but also disrupts the focus on improving infrastructure, and competence of the players and their managers. Jules Karangwa, sports journalist- TV 10 *********************** I have had stories about witchcraft in Rwandan sports but I do not believe that they are true and I do believe that the authorities concerned are trying to fight these harmful rumors. The rumors have negative effects, because first of all its backwardness, and also whenever people believe that there is something that has been planted in the goal posts and its going to stop them from winning, it will hinder them from playing professionally, which will also affect them psychologically. Felicite Rwemarika, vice president, Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee
