Ibuka official commends ‘Eto’o’ Foundation

An official in IBUKA, the umbrella body for the survivors of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis has commended Eto’o Foundation for organising a football tournament to commemorate the 18th anniversary of the atrocities that claimed over a million lives.Laurent Twahirwa, who was the guest of honour at the opening ceremony on June23, said, “This tournament is important because children remember their relatives and other Rwandans, who lost their lives in the 1994 Genocide.”The official also thanked the tournament sponsors, among others, MTN Rwanda, as well as Kiyovu president Benjamin Gasamagera.The tournament, which is in its second edition, attracted a total of eight boys’ and four girls’ teams respectively. All matches are being played at Kicukiro grounds.The boys’ teams include: Eto’o Foundation, Authentic International academy, Des Amis, Dream team, Hirondelle, Denominators, New Jerusalem and SEC academy, while the girls’ teams consist of Authentic International Academy, AS Kigali Academy, Eto’o Foundation and Denominators.The opening match in the boy’s category pitted Authentic International Academy against tournament hosts Eto’o Foundation, which the latter won 3-1 on penalties after the regular time ended in a 2-2 draw.In the other opening day matches, Hirondelle knocked out SEC academy 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw, Denominators eliminated New Jerusalem with a 2-0 win, while Des Amis qualified for the semi-finals without kicking a ball after Dream team’s failed to turn up for the game.In the girl’s group, AS Kigali Academy lost 3-1 to Denominators, while Eto’o Foundation and Authentic International Academy were due to play in the other semifinal match yesterday to decide who meets Denominators in the final set for July 7.The two semi-finals in boys’ category are scheduled for today when Eto’o Foundation takes on Des Amis, while Denominators face Hirondelle. The winners will meet in final taking place on Saturday July 7.Eto’o Foundation was founded in March 2009 by 16-year old Fabrice Ndayisaba commonly known as Eto’o. “We’ve started with only 13 kids in 2009 but currently we have 162, including 115 boys and 47 girls and although we don’t have permanent sponsors, we try to use the little available resources maximally,” said Ndayisaba.The first edition was won by Blue Stars (U-15 boys) while Meilleur Amis took the U-13 category title. There were no girls’ teams last year.

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Ibuka official commends ‘Eto’o’ Foundation