{"id":114832,"date":"2025-11-07T17:47:16","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T17:47:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/athletes-fans-react-to-sports-ministrys-new-funding-rule"},"modified":"2025-11-07T18:20:14","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T18:20:14","slug":"athletes-fans-react-to-sports-ministrys-new-funding-rule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/sport\/athletes-fans-react-to-sports-ministrys-new-funding-rule","title":{"rendered":"Athletes, fans react to sports ministry\u2019s new funding rule"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Athletes and fans have shared their thoughts about the Ministry of Sports\u2019 move to prioritise top performing federations when it comes to funding. The development, announced by sports minister Nelly Mukazayire on Wednesday, November 5, aims at enhancing accountability for government resources.<\/p>\n

Mukazayire listed eleven federations, out of the 35 that are around in the country. The decision is based on the federations\u2019 demonstrated strong performance.<\/p>\n

The listed federations include football, volleyball, basketball, cycling, athletics, handball, and sitting volleyball, which was included due to its outstanding performance at the Paralympic Games.<\/p>\n

In light of the move, Times Sport reached out to different people from the sports ecosystem to capture their opinions about the new approach.<\/p>\n

Jean Butoyi<\/p>\n

Among those who spoke to Times Sport, Jean Butoyi, the President of the Sports Journalists Association of Rwanda (AJSP-Rwanda), linked the strategy to a task that was earlier given to the sports ministry by President Paul Kagame, urging the officials to find ways to generate resources from sports, which he described as a business based on talent.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeeping in mind the limited budget of our country, focusing on federations that can deliver results is a perfect approach. It\u2019s a path that helps reduce unnecessary spending while ensuring accountability and feedback,\u201d said Butoyi, a former sports commentator at the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA).<\/p>\n

Nathalie Munyampenda, President of Kepler Basketball, a team that features in Rwanda Basketball League, said she supports the idea<\/p>\n

Nathalie Munyampenda, President of Kepler Basketball, a team that features in Rwanda Basketball League, said she supports the idea.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe support the current push by the ministry to back organised and productive federations and to ensure funding goes into development. This is the right way forward,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Richard Habinshuti, a sports educator at Petit Se\u0301minaire Virgo Fidelis, a secondary school based in Huye, said the mechanism gives an assignment to schools and grassroots programs to put more effort into talent development.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo be honest, eleven disciplines are not enough. This pushes us to work harder from the ground level to produce more talent in different areas. With the ministry\u2019s support, we can contribute to achieving even better results,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n

Liliane Mukobwankawe, a three-time Paralympian and captain of the national women\u2019s sitting volleyball team, talked about how proud she is of the fact that the team was recognised by the ministry due to its performance.<\/p>\n

Liliane Mukobwankawe, a three-time Paralympian and captain of the national women\u2019s sitting volleyball team, talked about how proud she is of the fact that the team was recognised by the ministry due to its performance.<\/p>\n

\u201cDue to our performance, placing Rwanda first in Africa and fifth in the world in women\u2019s sitting volleyball, we were added to the list,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Mukobwankawe added that inclusive sports have long faced financial challenges, but being among the top-performing federations has brought both national pride and positive change to athletes\u2019 lives.<\/p>\n\r\n