Hosted at the International School of Kigali (ISK), the festival became a rallying point for Rotarians, youth, and dignitaries who gathered to champion a cause to raise funds to procure an electric minivan to support cancer patients cared for at Bethania home care in Kinyinya.
The Festival of Sports â€" Rotary Edition was proudly organised by Wura Holdings Ltd, led by a committed Rotarian, on behalf of the Rotary Club of Kigali Virunga, in collaboration with Rotary Sport and the Rotary Club of Kigali Golf.
For many of these patients, treatment means a gruelling 30-kilometre journey to and from Kanombe Military hospital each day, a journey that had grown increasingly difficult without reliable transport.
Jacqueline Duniah, President of the Rotary Club of Kigali-Virunga, reflected on how a simple visit to Bethania inspired meaningful action.
'We believed that through sport, the awareness of our cancer patients' needs could reach a wider audience. This is a continuation of our efforts, and we hope it inspires others to join us in providing solutions for our community,' she said.
Her words carried the spirit of the festival, a vibrant day filled with football, basketball, cricket, tennis, and pickleball, fencing and a variety of other games not just for fun but for a greater purpose.
The Rotary Club's resolve turned sports into a symbol of solidarity, channelling community energy into practical support. A total of 57 million Rwandan francs was raised to support cancer patients during the event.
Among the many supporters at the event was Dr. Tunde Adelakun, President of Rotary Sport in the UK, whose presence underscored the global nature of Rotary's reach. He brought an impassioned message about the power of sport to influence lives far beyond the field.
'Through our sporting projects, we're raising awareness of mental health, lifestyle choices, eating well, and reducing the risks of debilitating diseases like cancer. It goes back to healthy living and doing good in the community,' Tunde said.
He went further, painting sport as a tool not only for awareness but also for youth development and leadership.
'We want to build leaders through sports. Sports are unique because they teach us rules. If from a very young age, our children understand that rules guide sports that there are offside lines, fouls, boundaries, then they will grow up respecting structure and responsibility. That's how leaders are built,' he noted.
Tunde pledged that all future fundraising efforts through his Rotary Sport network would be focused on sporting initiatives with a purpose, pointing to the Kigali event as a model of what sport can achieve when tied to compassion.
This commitment was deeply felt by the staff at Bethania Home Care, where every day is a delicate balance of care, logistics, and hope. Sister Helena Katebera, the program coordinator, spoke of the relief this donation would bring.
'We often face different challenges, but the most pressing was transporting patients over 30km daily from our centre in Kinyinya to the treatment facility in Kanombe,' she said.
'Our old ambulance could only carry one patient. Through the support raised from this sports festival, our charity journey will continue smoothly, and this van will be a tremendous relief,' she added.
Founded in 2018, Bethania Home Care, operated by the Sisters of Our Lady Queen of Africa, provides food, shelter, and psychological support for over 250 patients undergoing cancer treatment. For many, it is the only place they can find care and dignity amid the hardship of illness.
The Festival of Sport was a declaration that community-driven action can lift the burdens of those most in need. As Rotarians, diplomats, and athletes came together in Kigali, they demonstrated that with the right intention, even a game can save lives.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/kigali-rotarians-boost-cancer-care-through-sport
