Rwanda Hosts Titans of Africa Sport -- On the Scene

(ATR) Undeterred by a pair of brief power flickers, the Rwandan NOC president declared hosting more international events to be a part of its five-part plan for strengthening itself.

"We have many challenges," admitted Robert Bayigamba.

Rwanda has opened its arms to the African sporting community this week at ninth edition of the International Convention for Sport in Africa (CISA) in the capital of Kigali.

The convention opened on Thursday afternoon with Bayigamba presentingthe Rwandan plan, which also included emphasis on organizational governance, increased opportunities for athletes, better infrastructure and more Olympic medals. A Rwandan has won bronze at the Paralympics, but no Olympic medals in seven appearances at the Games for Rwanda.

Of a meeting held by the NOC in April 2013 which led to the plan, Bayigamba said: "We agreed that we would like to build generations of champions."

Bayigamba said they acknowledged, in respect to medals, that they are "not Burundi, not Kenya" and that Rwanda has issues with poor results and a lack of recognition and expertise.

IAAF president Lamine Diack saw this candor as a strength, saying afterward, "One of our problems in Africa … we never admit our failures."

"There’s a need for strong will to work as a team," Diack said from his seatin the front row.

"The way forward is clear, so all that remains is for us to work together."

After the presentation, Diack, Bayigamba and IOC Athletes' Commission chair Claudia Bokel were among those who ascended to a rooftop veranda for the unveiling of the NOC's new branding. They were joined by Miss Rwanda 2015 Kundwa Doriane as the ribbons were cut to reveal the logos.

Diack spent Thursday participating in the CISA Kids Project in the morning as a group from the conference visited a local grade school to speak with students and attend an assembly on the importance of sport.

He was joined by Bayigamba and IOC Athletes Commission chair Claudia Bokel for the trip. Bokel conducted a two-day session with African athletes that wrapped up on Thursday.

Diack finished the day speaking at the CISA opening ceremony Thursday night at Century Park, a trendy Chinese restaurant.

Upcoming at CISA

On Friday, Diack will take part in a session on his experience in sport. Former FINA president Mustafa Larfaoui, Ugandan sports minister Charles Bakkabulindi and AIPS interim secretary general Evelyn Watta will take part in similar sessions.

Saturday sessions will cover the African Games as well as the logistics and economics of running an NOC.

Written by Nick Devlinin Kigali

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