The brand new ‘Gahanga Cricket Stadium’ covers 4.5 hectares and was inaugurated by Paul Kagame, the President of Rwanda.

 

The stadium was funded mainly by international cricket players keen to see the sport take flight in Rwanda. The cost of construction amounted to approximately $1.3 million. 

 

This initiative was taken up by the Rwanda Cricket Stadium Foundation, set up by Alby Shale. Alby Shale is the son of the late British politician and cricket enthusiast Christopher Shale, who visited Rwanda on several occasions to do aid work. 

 

President Kagame said, “We are very happy to have this cricket pavilion and ground built, and by that, we remember Christopher Shale, in whose memory this has been built.”

 

President Kagame hopes to see this new facility used optimally to enhance the skills of cricketing men and women in Rwanda. He also added that it is only positive for Rwanda to have partners in England.

 

Eric Dusingizimana, the national team captain helped finance the stadium by setting a new record in the Guinness Book of World Records by batting for 51 consecutive hours last year.

 

“This is an exciting project for us and the younger generation is going to benefit heavily from this,” said the 31-year-old captain.

 

The new stadium has been built, keeping international standards in mind, making it a one of a kind construction in East Africa. The inauguration was attended by 200 high profile cricketing personalities from all over the globe.

 

The facility will be equipped with a luxury bar, a clubhouse, office spaces and changing rooms. An HIV/AIDS awareness unit will also be put in place to provide tests and counseling services.

 

According to the Rwanda Cricket Association, significant progress has been made with regard to cricket in the nation with around 10,000 Rwandan citizens now introduced to the gentleman’s game.

 

The opening was attended by the Minister of Sports and Culture Juliane Uwacu, Rwanda Cricket Stadium Foundation (RSCF) Project Director Alby Shale and many more high profile people from the cricket fraternity.

 

Source : Business News Africa