Rwanda Hosts African Handball Championship, Focuses on Winning and National Pride

Kigali, January 22, 2026 - Rwanda has demonstrated its ability to host major sports competitions while also prioritizing victory, according to Minister of Sports Nelly Mukazayire. Speaking to RBA on January 21, the day the African Handball Championship began in Rwanda, Minister Mukazayire emphasized that the country is not only preparing to organize events but also to field competitive teams that make the nation proud. The tournament, held from January 21 to 31, 2026, brought together 16 teams from across the continent, including Algeria, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Cape Verde, the Republic of Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Guinea, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zambia. Rwanda faced Zambia in the opening match, winning decisively 30-19. Minister Mukazayire highlighted that hosting international competitions enhances the country’s image while also contributing to the development of Rwanda’s tourism sector, a key source of foreign exchange. She stated: “We are preparing our teams not only to host but to play and to win. We no longer want to be mere hosts; we want to compete at the highest level and bring victory home.” The championship provided a platform for Rwanda to showcase organizational capacity, national talent, and the growing competitiveness of its athletes, reinforcing the country’s ambition to become a prominent hub for sports in Africa.