In a bid to drive the popularity of table tennis in Rwanda, the Rwanda Table Tennis Federation (RTTF)-led by its President, John Bosco Birungi has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) on Wednesday, 18 December 2019.
According to the MoU, the federation will provide equipment and training to NISR while the Institute will act as springboard of attracting other government agencies to the progamme.
RTTF president, John Bosco Birungi, thanked the Institute for their support while hoping to strengthen cooperation with them in his efforts to grow and popularize the sport. “By way of enhancing exchanges and cooperation at all levels and sharing development experience, we will be able to cement the foundation for the sound, steady and sustained growth of the sport,” the RTTF president said during the signing of the MOU at NISR headquarters in Kigali.
According to RTTF, it is in this regard that the federation is aiming to enetr agreements with government institutions to provide more equipment and training.“The MoU and the equipment are part of the federation development program aimed at developing and promoting table tennis in schools and the general public. Our focus is at the grassroots and especially young people so that the sport can be played professionally,” Birungi explained.
With the take-off of the national table tennis league and other grassroot competitions, Birungi said the next focus is the corporate and civil servants.“We have organised, competitions in partnership with the ministry of sports, Rwanda School Sports Federation (RSSF) and the Chinese Embassy and so that we can start nurturing players” he added.
RTTF President, John Bosco Birungi (left),NISR’s Deputy Director General, Mr. Ivan Murenzi (middle) and Mr. Gervais Munyanziza of the Ministry of Sports (right)
NISR’s Deputy Director General, Mr. Ivan Murenzi, commended RTTF for the initiative and urged his staff to make use of equipment and the skills by the federation. "By way of enhancing exchanges and co-operation at all levels and sharing development experience, we will be able to cement the foundation for the sound, steady and sustained growth of the sport.” Murenzi said.
Munyanziza Gervais who witnessed the signing on behalf of the Ministry of Sports, praised RTTF for the progamme and also urged the staff of NISR to make use of cooperation in order to increase interest in the game of Table Tennis in the country. "The federation has come from far, but today the body is vibrant since they are doing something to develop table tennis. It is good to see RTTF involved in schools and grassroots program," he said.
"The government of Rwanda has partnerships aimed at discovering and nurturing talent. These should be given priority especially that we have facilities and likeminded federations which we can take advantage of," Munyanziza said.
The MoU provides for exchange of table tennis expertise and conducting of training of NISR staff.
Media Contacts:
TUGIRIMANA Jean Paul
NISR Public Relations & Communication Officer
Mob +250 788482625 | +250 722482625
paul.tugirimana@statistics.gov.rw
RUZIGA Daniel
Media Officer, RTTF
Mob: +250 788417363/ +250 738417363
Email: kas2daniel@gmail.com