Rwanda handball federation (Ferwahand) is organising the inaugural handball memorial tournament planned for June 9 at Kimisagara Youth Centre and Kigali Institute of education respectively. The tournament has attracted nine local teams, five in men’s category and four in women’s category. No foreign sides will compete in the one-day competition due to lack of funds according to federation officials. The participating clubs include; APR, Police, Nyakabanda, National University of Rwanda (NUR) and Gicumbi handball club in the men’s category and matches will be held at Kimisagara youth centre. Apapeki Cyuru, Golliras, Groupe scolaire Mwendo and Ecole secondaire Mukingi will spice up the women’s category which will stage its matches at Kigali Institute of Education courts. Rwanda Handball Federation Permanent Secretary, Benoit Nyabutsitsi said yesterday, “Since the game was only played in Zaza, Nyakabanda and Rambura, we only have a handful of handball players to remember but we must ensure that what happened during the 1994, should never occur anymore,” “Fifteen players who will be remembered include; ten from Zaza and five from Nyakabanda who were reportedly killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi,” The National Handball federation, CNLG, Rwanda National Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Sports and Culture are meeting the tournament’s budget.
