Dominique Sebalinda Ngoga was one of the most famous volleyball players in Rwanda before he was killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi which claimed over one million lives. Born in 1962, Sebalinda was 2.1m high and according to his big brother Antoine Sebalinda, who trains kids, he was one of the best players that the country has even produced. He played for National University of Rwanda, Groupe Scolaire de Butare, P.S. Kabgayi, Foudres and Muzinga of Burundi. In 1994, Sebalinda decided to return back to Rwanda where he played for Kigali Volleyball Club which at that time was known as Buhiri. It is during this time that he met his untimely death at the hands of Interahamwe. Sebalinda also used to play football sometimes. He was kind to people, liked joking and was loved by everyone, who played with him, according to his relatives. During the Genocide, he was killed alongside his family which included his two young brothers, two sisters and both their parents. However, two of his brothers and a sister survived, they are Antoine Sebalinda, Fidele Kajugiro Sebalinda and Cécile Sebalinda, who stays in France. Every April 20, the surviving Sebalinda family commemorates the death of their parents and siblings. Prior to his death, he worked at National University of Rwanda. H was killed in Cyarwa sector, Butare Southern Province. Sebalinda played for the national volleyball team from 1986 to 1994. In that period, he helped Rwanda win a regional bronze medal in 1989. He helped Rwanda finish second behind Congo Brazzaville in an African cup tournament held in Cameroon. His big brother Antoine, says despite what happened in Rwanda 19 years ago, the sport (volleyball) can help heal the wounds and unit Rwandans and one people.
