ON THE COVER : Lucien Bikamba

Rugby star Lucien Bikamba, (yes, Bikamba - has kept that one quiet, hasn’t he?) has been in the game for 10 years. Speaking to The SundayMag, Bikamba said: “I started playing rugby in 2000, and I was inspired by a cousin who was at the time studying from L’école Française.” Bikamba said that it all started as a joke, but, little did he know that it would lead him to fame. Presently, the stunner Buffalos rugby club player, Bikamba (nicknamed Jonny Wilkinson) is among the top rugby players in the country, and his magnificent talent has inspired very many rugby fans in the country and beyond the borders. The 25-year-old has become the first rugby player to appear on the cover of the SundayMag. He joins other sports personalities to grace our cover. The others are Jimmy Gatete, Olivier Karekezi, Dieudonne Disi, Karim Nkusi, and Rwanda’s top female marathon record holder Epiphanie Nyirabarame. Bikamba has tasted all waters. However, he claims rugby is the game to play. “I’ve played football and basketball, but I must say that rugby is a unique game, which brings people together though very physical compared to most games.” Biography Born on May 11, 1985, in Bukavu DR Congo, Bikamba is a twin, and the pair is second in the family of six children. As a youngster, Bikamba had always dreamt of becoming an international rugby player. He admires Jonathan Peter Wilkinson, an English rugby union player and member of the England national team. Social Life Like most sportsmen, Bikamba relishes his social life and spends it by hanging out in nightclubs with his friends. “Of course, I like going out to clubs and other hangout spots! Whenever I’m off the pitch and free from other odd jobs, I hit the club,” Bikamba said. He added that he sometimes escapes Kigali with his friends to the countryside, for example to Gisenyi, for fun. Bikamba also enjoys watching romantic movies; he however cited his favourites as: “Blind Side’ and ‘Remember the Titans.’ His favourite dish is fish, Irish potato chips and posho. Style If you can’t tell from the photos on the cover, Bikamba is a fashionista but prefers casual wear, as he hates suits because they make him uneasy and shy. He hopes to make it once again on the national rugby team, the Silverbacks, that hosts Burundi and DR Congo from 22 to 27 November this year at Amahoro National stadium. Come cheer him and the Silverbacks. Ends