Volleyball fraternity to honour Genocide victims

The Rwanda Volleyball fraternity plans to remember the over 46 members including players, coaches, and administrators, who were killed during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi by organising a memorial tournament on June 1-2.The 19th Genocide commemoration started on Sunday. The volleyball federation was among the worst affected by the 100-day tragedy that claimed lives of over a million Rwandans.Since 1995, the Rwanda Volleyball Federation (FRVB) is one of the federations that organise annual Genocide memorial tournaments, but last year it didn’t take place due to the financial constraints.“We pass on our sincere condolence to the families and relatives of the victims of the Genocide, especially during this period, but at the same time, we have to stand up and work hard so that we can achieve great things for this country,” said FRVB Executive Secretary General Gertrude Kubwimana.She added: “We will recognise them through the (memorial) competition we plan to organise in June, so we are requesting anyone with information regarding volleyball players, officials and fans, who died during the Genocide against the Tutsi, whom we haven’t included on the list we have to come to us and give us details.”Some of the indentified slain volleyball players, include; Benjamin Iminamikore, Regis Murekezi, Pracide Ntagugura, Basile Ntagwabira, Egide Kumuyange, Casius Kaonji, Egide Kayiranga, Emmanuel Hategekimana, Michael Gasinzigwa, Theoneste Rutayisire, Justin Niyongira, Alphonse Kagenza, all from the National University of Rwanda.Others include Eric Kayiranga, Eugene Gabiro, Dominique Ngonga Sebalinda, Alfred ‘Toto’ Butare , Innocent Rwagashayija, who played for Group Scolaire de Butare (GSOB).They also include Martin Mukeshimana, Venant Urimubenshi, JMV Rukamba, Jean de la Croix Mugandura, Innocent Ntaganira and Theogene Rwagahungu of Kigali Volleyball club (KVC), previously Buhiri.Others are Innocent Hategekimana, Jules Sebalinda, Camile Gakebuka, JMV Ngarambe, Jean Bosco Tumukuze, Toussait Rutiyomba, Alphose Rutsindura, Abdallah Uwimana all were in Petit Seminaire de Butare, Marcellin Rugira, Vicent Gakwaya, Andre Kayigamba who played for Minitransco.Esdas Ngamije, Jean Pierre Rudandi, Sosthene Kabagema (EWSA), and Jean Bosco Rugira in Kigoma, M. Gorethe and Kamazi Mignone (Les Lionnes), Karasira (Ouragan), Landourd Rugenera (College St Andre) were also killed.Others were; Berchamans Ugeziwe (Petit Seminaire Ndera), William Mugaragu (Ecole des Sciences Byimana), Fraterne Rutayisire (Minijust) and Murego Clement (Groupe Scolaire Shyogwe).

Sports

Volleyball fraternity to honour Genocide victims