Posted on 2022-10-28 10:52:15
RSF Open Water Swimming Championship gave confidence to the Swimmers who will represent Rwanda in Youth Olympic Games 2026
The Rwanda Swimming Federation ‘RSF’ in collaboration with the Rwanda Olympic Committee with the support of "Olympic Solidarity", on October 22, 2022, organized a competition which held in Karongi District, Western Province.
The competition was played on Lake Kivu and was part
of the Olympic Solidarity program called ‘Youth Athlete Development program
2021-2024’.
With this, Rwanda Swimming Federation aim to recruiting
talented young Swimmers to be prepared to participate in the Youth Olympic
Games to be held in Dakar, Senegal in 2026 ‘Youth Olympics Games 2022’.
The tournament was attended by various teams
including Cercle Sportif de Kigali, Cercle Sportif de Karongi, Rwesero Swimming
Club, Rwamagana Canoe and Aquatic Swimming Club, Les Dauphins Swimming Club, Mako Sharks Swimming
Club, Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle Swimming Club, Rubavu Swimming Club and Gisenyi
Beach Boys Swimming Club.
Competitors are in different age groups from 12-14,
15-17 and 18 years & above to boys and girls. They swam in the event list of 800, 1000, 3000 and 5000
meters.
For the boys between the ages of 12 to 14, Byiringiro Christan known as Tonton, who is 14 years old and plays for the Cercle Sportif de Karongi team, was the best performer in the 800m and 3,000m race category.
In the 800 meters he became the first after clocked of 13 minutes and one second (13'01") and in the 3 000 meters became the first also after clocked 38 minutes and 42 seconds (38'42").
For the girls, 14-year-old Uwurukundo Ruth, who plays
for the Rubavu Swimming Club team, was the best performer in the 800 meters,
finishing first with a time of 19 minutes and 54 seconds (19'54").
Overall, after collecting the points, Cercle Sportif
de Karongi team is the best performer.
Talking to the media after the competition, Rukundo
Patrick, Head Coach of the National Team and Technical Director at RSF, said
that overall, the tournament went well even though it had been a long time
since it was played.
“We sow young children who are capable of this game
and all that is left is to help them to improve their level and they are
looking for more competitions”. He added
Talking to the media after the competition, Vice
President of the Rwanda Swimming Federation, Uzabakiriho Innocent said that
some swimmers have been shown what they have, but the search for those who have
talent will continue so that they have a number of Swimmers, otherwise they
will continue to help them and then they will reprent well Rwanda.
Uzabakiriho Innocent the 2nd vice president of Rwanda Swimming Federation
Umutoni Salama, the Vice President of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee said that the competition was aimed at finding talented
children to be prepared.
“This was the first phase, but there will be other phases, including the competition of schools and Junior championships in order to find more children who will participate in the Youth Olympic Games in 2026”. She added
Umutoni Salama the 2nd Vice President of Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee
Habyarimana Florent, who is incharge of Federations in the Ministry of Sports "MINISPORTS" who was the guest of honor in this competition, said that they support such a competition because they found that for a player to represent the country at the international level, they should be prepared for at least three to four years.
“What is being done today is to find these talented
players who will be trained enough, they will be selected for competitions in 4
years and they will be strong.
Habyarimana Florent the MINISPORTS representative
In completion of this event, 15 swimmers were selected in this competition and RSF will select other 15 swimmers from the upcoming expected event which will be held on December, 5th , 2022 and there will be a talent detection competition among schools and clubs in the category of under 14 years old only, this competition will be held at La Palisse Hotel Nyamata.
Photos of the event.
