By Jejje Muhinde;
The six Special Olympic Rwanda medalists have been honoured for their impressive achievement during the Special Olympic World Games held in Abu Dhabi in February this year.
The function organized by Rwanda Special Olympics in partnership with the World Banks took place on Thursday evening at Hotel Des Mille Collines, and was attended by important guests including the Minister of Sports Aurore Mimose Munyangaju, other partners as well as parents of athletes.
Rwanda was represented by 26 athletes, and managed to win two medals of gold four silver and two bronze medals.
Athletes who were honoured include; Bosco Kajeje, Samson Bisagura, Alice Mukamana, Patience Irafash as well as Marceline Mushimiyimana.
Marceline Mushimiyimana, 19, who bagged the teams first gold medal on an opening day in Abu Dhabi thanked organizers for the recognition, saying that she was able to win gold because of the proper preparations earned from coaches.
While addressing the guests, Pastor Dues Sangwa the chairman of Rwanda Special Olympics expressed gratitude to the partners World Bank and the Minister of Sports for the development support and recognition of medals as well as people with intellectual disability in general.
“It’s a hugely proud moment for Special Olympics Rwanda and athletes, this is a recognition for winning medals, for the work from coaches and family and friends who all helped to achieve this success” he mentioned.
The Pastor further explained that the Ministry of Sports has been part of this journey since the two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2016 to support children and adults with intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities.
Minister Mimose Munyangaju also pledged that government is committed to supporting children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
She thanked the medalists for the achievement, reminding the guests that ‘disability is not inability’ adding that sport is one way where such children can exercise their rights to achieve their goals.
Mr. Yasser El-Gammal, World Bank Country the Manager explained, “We are very happy today to be in Rwanda to be celebrate with Rwanda Special Olympics. We are celebrating two things, first the World Day of Disability to make it Rwandan we are here to celebrate the eight medals won in World Games in Abu Dhabi”
“These are young people who were competing for the first time outside their country, we wanted to congratulate them to make sure that they get the recognition that they deserve as well to give them an encouragement because there is an upcoming Africa Games that will be taking place in January in Cairo, Egypt. So we wanted to give them some encouraging words,” He added.
Special Olympics Rwanda have registered 18,100 unified athletes in Rwanda, 2,467 coaches from 1129 families.