BELIEVE it or not, Rwanda’s sports will NEVER develop to a level we all wish it does probably until almost the entire current crop of leadership in every sports institution gives way. I know there are people in this country with whom we share the notion that there’s surely a general problem that, if not solved sooner or later, then we should simply forget about having a vibrant sporting side, I am afraid, indeed I’m! With my profession, which I am beginning to love (more than ever before), I have been fortunate enough to work or talk to almost every influential sports administrators in the country over the past five years or so. I haven’t stopped at that though, I have also interacted (at a professional level) with, again, almost all the leading sports personalities. Among those personalities, is this Dieudonne Disi, who I believe is not being given the credit he deserves for what he has achieved, at a personal and or country level in his domain. Disi has been the face of Rwandan athletics over the last couple of years and despite the achievements (for himself and the country) with minimal support from the people supposed to help him, those who matter have not treated him with, what I strongly believe is the respect he merits. I don’t know whether it’s for his lack of enough education or just his calm nature, but the young man is not a favorite for some people in his own field!, it hurts. Love this or loath it, but it’s the way I see it, it seems as though some people are trying to bring him down instead of supporting him for what is a general cause not only for him, the national athletics federation, National Olympics Committee or the Sports ministry but all Rwandans. I don’t want to pick on specific individuals but the truth is that; there are certain folks who I believe their contributions to the development of sports in this country have gone way past its peak. The 27-year-old has broken every national record in the three distances he runs including 5.000m, 10.000m and half marathon and not only that but he has held the national flag high on a number of times in international competitions. But still, some of his own people are determined not to take any of that and that’s why I will keep insisting that, this country’s sports is faced with a very BIG problem and unless a lasting solution is found, its development is a doomed wish. For instance, take this situation where an institution like the Rwanda National Olympics Committee in close partnership with the Rwanda Athletics Federation, which in an ideal world would be at the forefront of helping chaps like Disi, is one that is doing the opposite. For five years I have been actively following sports in this country, I’ve not, for once heard or seen Disi and the National Olympics Committee (NOC) in what one would describe as “good books”. For one reason or another, you always hear them hitting at each other and you wonder how long such a thing would go on and where it could end up. It has reached a point where NOC officials have asked the International Olympics Committee through the Solidarity Fund to freeze their sponsorship for Disi! Disi has on a number of occasions accused his own people in the athletics federation of not doing enough to help not only him but even the other athletes to develop their careers. Forced to retire But the lowest moment came three months ago during the All Africa Games in Algiers, Algeria where Disi finished one place outside the medals bracket in half marathon. He immediately blamed federation officials for his failure to do better (than he did) and announced his plans to retire from national team after next year’s Beijing Olympic Games. He, however, maintained that despite his decision to retire from the national team, he would continue to compete in international competition at an individual level. Since moving his training base to Europe, started in France them relocated to Belgium, Disi has enjoyed a good run of form, which has seen him win numerous competitions across Europe. Just last Sunday, he won his latest competition among the many at the Vodafone-sponsored Delhi Half Marathon and $20.000 in prize money. An international successful Disi is all this country needs and the money from the IOC has gone a long way in making him what he’s is at the moment and winning international competitions, is good for him at a time when the Olympics are just months away. So, to say the international body should stop funding his training in preparation for the Olympic Games is, to me, just a drop in the ocean of what is a general big problem that will never allow sports in Rwanda to develop. Disi is an unsung hero as far as Rwanda’s developing athletics is concerned but you wonder why one would want to bring him down! You see, it’s a big problem. Ends
