Rwanda welcomed into Athletes Village

CLAD in black blazers with the National Paralympic Committee-Rwanda logo embroidered on the left top, Team Rwanda marched into the welcoming ceremony arena as the team was officially welcomed into the Athletes Village on Sunday evening.A presentation from volunteers, some of them with special needs, lightened up the evening with exclusive performances that described every Paralympian as a champion, not just the ones that will be handed the gold, silver and bronze.The Mayor of the Paralympics Village, Eva Loeffler, also the daughter of the founder of the Paralympic Games, Ludwig Guttmann welcomed Team Rwanda and exchanged gifts with NPC Rwanda’s Chef de Mission Célestin Nzeyimana.“On the same day as the opening ceremony of the London Olympics, my father (Ludwig Guttmann) organised the Stoke Mandeville Games in 1948 for disabled persons and, right now, I know he would be proud of you for taking part in these Games to maintain the legacy,” said Loeffler.Having been a volunteer from the onset, Loeffler who has been involved in the Paralympic Games, also mentioned that the Athletes Village has been designed in a way that will welcome and make comfortable every paralympian.Meanwhile, Rwandans from across the United Kingdom witnessed this spectacular event in big numbers with some of them coming from as far as Brighton, Hounslow, East Croydon and Dollis Hill.Patrice Shema, a member of the Rwandan Community in the UK said, “It is encouraging and patriotic to show emotional and spiritual support to our fellow Rwandans who have come to represent us at the Paralympic Games. It is a pride and an honour.”Clotilda Umuliisa, a 47-year old Rwandan national who has lived in the UK for 23 years and has been working as a nursing sister in the medical department at Learning Difficulty, revealed her joy on seeing Team Rwanda at the Games.“I have worked with the Assessment Unit here in the UK and to see that Rwanda has adapted and realised the potential that the Paralympians have and supported them is just more than amazing. I just can’t stop smiling. I am overwhelmed,” explained Umuliisa to Times Sport.In attendance was First Counsellor at the Rwanda High Commission, Linda Kalimba, who described the opening ceremony as ‘hope beyond description’ and praised the level of organisation, warmth and spirit.“We are hopeful that we shall bring medals home,” an optimistic Kalimba added

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Rwanda welcomed into Athletes Village