Top clubs clash in ‘United we stand’ tourney

‘United we stand’ tournament Wednesday (Amahoro Stadium) Kiyovu vs APR 3pmRayon vs Etincelles 5pm Thursday Kiyovu vs Rayon 3pmAPR vs Etincelles 5pm Friday Journalists vs Artists 2pmKiyovu vs Etincelles 4pmAPR vs Rayon 6pm RWANDA’s top clubs are making last minute preparations ahead of the ‘United we stand’ tournament that kicks off tomorrow at Amahoro stadium. The three-day competition, which has been organized by the Sports Ministry (Minispoc) in conjunction with major corporate companies like Sorwathe, Social Security Fund, Kobil, Bralirwa, Rwanda Development Bank, Cogear Bank, BCR and EcoBank, has been staged in recognition of President Paul Kagame’s remarkable support for sports.League champions APR, Rayon Sport, Kiyovu and Etincelles will face off in a round-robin format were the team with most points at the end of the day will be crowned champion.While conceding that most of his star players like Victor Nyirenda, Abbas Rassou, Elvis Kafoteka, Chimanga Mutamba, Kalisa Mao, Bebeto Lwamba, Didier Kapet, Didier Logbo, Kabange Twite and Mbuyu Twite are still on holiday while Jean Claude Iranzi and Hegman Ngomirakiza are locked in serious preparations ahead of Saturday’s Junior Wasps’ do or die 2011 Africa Youth Championship qualifier against Congo Brazzaville, APR assistant coach Eric Nshimiyimana is still adamant that the team has enough depth to put up a strong fight.“Most of the first team players are still away on holiday but that is a blessing in disguise for the side’s fringe and academy players to make a name for themselves,” he said.APR’s surge will be spearheaded by the experienced trio of Haruna Niyonzima, Jean Baptist Mugiraneza a.k.a Migi and Eric Ndayishimiye a.k.a Bakame.Sports Minister Joseph Habineza recently told Times Sport that the purpose of the tournament is to highlight Kagame’s commitment as far as promoting sports during his first tenure as a democratically elected President of Rwanda is concerned.“President Kagame has supported different sports programs ranging from football, basketball, volleyball and cycling among others. He has also supported numerous initiatives all aimed at taking Rwandan sports to a higher level,” the minister added.Kagame, who is seeking a second term, was recently awarded a trophy by Rwanda’s sports fraternity. He has also been massively backed by the Council of East and Central Africa Football Association (Cecafa) following his long-term support to the body. Ends