Ex-internationals to get a voice

The Ministry of Sport and Culture (Minispoc) have plans to give a voice to the country’s former international sportsmen and women, according to the Director of Sports in the ministry.An exclusive interview with Times Sport recently, Emmanuel Bugingo said that the ministry wants to recognize the country’s former players in all sports disciplines.“We want to give them the special recognition that they deserve for wearing the national teams’ jersey with distinction. They need to be recognized in society as people who contributed to their country’s sporting achievements,” Bugingo said.According to the official, by giving a voice to the former players, it will act as a motivation for the young players, who dream of representing their country at the highest level.He noted, “We have to recognize the ex-internationals as they are the role models for the young players, who look up to what their elder brothers and sisters did for the country and want to be like them.”For the start, all former international players will be allowed free entrance at all local and international matches, and Bugingo hopes it will motivate the young sportsmen and women to play with a lot of desire.To achieve this, Bugingo said, the ministry is be ready to play its role and to work closely with the ex-players and he hopes that their voice will play a big role in the development of sports in the country.“We don’t want to see them suffer as they have been good ambassadors for the country, so we are encouraging all (sports) federation to work closely with them and let them gives their ideas to promote sports,” he stated.The official added, “If you want to achieve future success, you need to recognize the past as the ex-international players are part of the country’s sporting history. We want them to be accepted and recognized in the society.”He cited the example where Ministry of Sports helped former Kiyovu, Rayon Sport and Amavubi player Jean Chrysostom Sembagare receive surgery on a broken pelvis bone at King Faycal Hospital. The former winger played for Kiyovu junior team before moving to Rayon Sport in 1986, where he played until his retirement in 1994.Some of the legend in football include: Valens Muvala, Claude Kalisa, Jimmy Gatete, Desire Mbonabucya, Manfred Kizito, Hamad Ndikumana Katauti, Abdul Sibomana, Honore Kabongo, Ramadhan Nkunzingoma, Hubert Nshizirungu Bebe, Faustin Gishweka, Julie Ndagano.Others are; Jean Pierre Muronda, Ndindili Mugaruka, Seko Seff, Jean Remi Bitana, Abdul Uwimana, Eugene Murangwa, Abed Said Makasi, Muhamoud Mossi, Eric Nshimiyimana, Jean Baptist Kayiranga, Jean Marie Ntagwabira among others.Some, who played for the national volleyball team include; Alex Mbaraga, Antoine Sebalinda, Alexandre Lyambabaje, Theopfile, Charles, Robert Bayigamba, Casius Isibo. And cycling has; Celestin Ndengeyingoma, Omar Masumbuko, Faustin Mparabanyi, Bernard Nsengiyumva, Turatsinze, Sebera and Abraham Ruhumuriza.Athletics: Faustin Butera, Juvenal Rudasingwa, Marcianne Mukamurenzi, Eulucane Ndagagijmana, Mathias Ntawulikura, Telesphore Dusabe, Daphrose Nyiramutuzo, Apollinaire Nyinawabera, Alphonse Munyeshyaka, Seraphin Mugabo, Ildephonse Sehirwa abd Dieudonne Disi.