Cynthia Munyana, the new president of Rwanda Swimming Federation (RSF), has promised to extend swimming development to various parts of the country to not only ensure its growth but also prepare a bigger number of swimmers for the future. Munyana will lead the federation during the next four-year term (2024-2028), replacing Pamela Rugabira Girimbabazi who has been in office since January 2020. She was elected RSF president during an extraordinary general assembly held in the Ministry of Sports conference hall in Kigali on Saturday, August 24, bringing together members of federation from across the country. The president-elect thanked members of the assembly for choosing her, and vowed to ‘do everything possible’ for the swimming community to develop the sport both domestically and on the international scene. “I am grateful for the members, who voted for me and I promise to give my best in this coming term, in the best way possible to develop game locally and beyond,” Munyana said. I will be focusing on developing game in parts of the country, it is not so expensive.” We need to have swimming played in many parts of the country. We must train many as possible to know the game better. And to achieve our goals, we need to work together and as a united federation,” she added. She also took the opportunity to commend the outgoing executive committee led by Girimbabazi for their contribution in uplifting the swimming sport during their time in office. The elections were initially scheduled to take place in the February but were delayed for over six months as some member clubs were lacking legitimacy from Rwanda Government Board (RGB). Besides Munyana, Alphonse Rusamaza Bayiro was elected as the first Vice President while Betty Uwamahoro was elected as the Second Vice President. Florentine Umutoniwase was elected as the federation General Secretary and Chantal Mushimiyimana as the Treasurer. With the support of the members of the new executive committee, Munyana said, We must work together as group to improve the game. We need teamwork to reach our target. This way, we shall be able to take Rwandan swimming to a higher level.” Munyana is the captain of BK Swimming Club with which they won the trophy during the 2023 workers competitions organized by Rwanda Bankers’ Association. It was during the competition when she won three medals in swimming. She is also a member of Green Hills Academy-based Mako Sharks Swimming Club where she currently competes in the Masters’ category. Munyana was a basketball player during her time in the university where she played for the National University of Rwanda team. Munyana becomes the second woman to lead the federation after Girimbabazi’s historic election in 2020. The outgoing president was leading the federation, assisted by Jean Sauveur Uwitonze who was the first Vice President and second Vice President Innocent Uzabakiriho while James Bazatsida was the Secretary General and Chantal Mushimiyimana as the Treasurer. Of these five, Mushimiyimana was the lone candidate who returned in the new committee.
