Veteran cricketer Eric Dusingizimana recently retired from international cricket at the age of 37, bringing his career spanning 16 years to a close. Widely regarded as a trailblazer for cricket in Rwanda, Dusingiziamana’s journey has been nothing short of success. From humble beginnings to record-breaking achievements, Dusingizimana candidly discussed his career reflections, evolution of cricket in Rwanda over the years and his contribution to the sport on and off the field. “I think it was time to retire,” he told Times Sport. “Cricket in has now reached a professional level and, at 37 years, I didn’t have enough energy to serve the sport according,” he added. Dusingizimana is one of the most successful cricket players that Rwandan has ever produced. However, his journey was not a smooth ride. One of defining moments of his career was setting a Guinness World record for the longest individual net session, a feat he achieved in 2016 when he batted for 51 hours at Amahoro Stadium. It was a sacrifice he made as captain to support his team while also helping in raising funds for the construction of Gahanga Cricket Stadium. “record not only brought attention to cricket in Rwanda but also played a key role in attracting sponsors to help us build the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium,” he said. Dusingizimana agrees that cricket in Rwanda has grown immensely compared to when it started, something that he commends every player in the sport fraternity along the way. “In the 2000s, there were only 50 participants, but now we have over 40,000 people involved, including players, coaches, and others within the cricket ecosystem.” Dusingizimana highlighted the sport’s inclusivity and achievements, particularly noting the participation of both boys and girls and the establishment of Division 1 and Division 2 leagues. He proudly mentioned the national women’s U19 team’s qualification for the World Cup as a milestone in Rwandan cricket. ALSO READ: Iconic cricketer Eric Dusingizimana retires “We’ve reached a stage where we can challenge some of the best teams in Africa, including Uganda, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. It’s also remarkable that we now have an international cricket stadium, which was a dream for many years,” he added. While Dusingizimana acknowledges the occasional disappointment of losing matches, he doesn’t see it as failure. “Every loss is an opportunity to learn and improve,” he explained. Looking ahead Beyond his cricketing accomplishments, Dusingizimana’s professional life as an engineer and architect has also left a significant impact. He actively contributed to the construction and development of the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium, which has since gained recognition as one of the best-designed sports venues in the world. ALSO READ: Dusingizimana on life as a cricket world record holder “In 2023 alone, we hosted a record number of international cricket games, and the stadium received five awards for its design and status as a tourist attraction,” he shared. Even after retirement, Dusingizimana remains deeply connected to cricket. He now serves as a supervisor at the Gahanga International Cricket Stadium and continues to mentor young players. “Cricket means a lot to me. I’m committed to guiding the next generation of players to ensure the sport’s legacy continues,” he said. To aspiring cricketers, his advice is clear “Nothing comes for free. You have to work hard for it. And when the game gets tough, remember that even walking is progress. Keep moving forward.”
