PHOTOS: SGI-Sports Academy concludes 2026 Summer Camp with focus on youth talent

SGI-Sports Academy has concluded its two-month SGI Summer Camp, bringing together 220 children for intensive training in basketball and karate during the 2025/26 school holiday.

The closing ceremony was held on Friday at Cercle Sportif de Kigali (CSK), where participants were recognised for their commitment and progress throughout the programme.

The annual event ran from July 7 to August 28, providing children with an opportunity to develop their sporting skills while promoting discipline, teamwork and personal development.

Of the 220 participants, 120 took part in karate, while 100 trained in basketball.

The programme also recorded increased participation by girls, reflecting the academy’s continued emphasis on creating opportunities for young athletes regardless of gender.

In karate, boys accounted for 55 per cent of participants, while girls represented 45 per cent.

Basketball recorded 70 per cent male participation and 30 per cent female participation.

The camp concluded with a karate belt-grading examination, giving participants an opportunity to demonstrate the skills they had acquired during the two months and qualify for new belts.

The camp’s outstanding performers in both karate and basketball were awarded medals and certificates in recognition of their performances and commitment.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the SGI Summer Camp 2026, SGI founder and CEO Rurangayire Guy Didier hailed the successful completion of the two-month programme, saying it had played a key role in developing young talent both on and off the field.

“We are not simply closing a summer camp; we are celebrating two months of learning, discipline, teamwork and personal growth. I am proud of what our young participants have achieved and grateful to their parents, coaches and partners for their support. Our commitment is to continue creating opportunities that help young people discover their potential, build character and develop through sport.

This is only the beginning, and we look forward to an even bigger and stronger SGI Summer Camp in the future,” Rurangayire said.

The 2026 edition continues a tradition that dates back to 2022, with SGI having organised annual summer programmes in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

The 2025 edition attracted more than 400 children across football, basketball and karate.

SGI-Sports Academy was established in 2022 by Rurangayire Guy Didier and was officially inaugurated at Cercle Sportif de Kigali in January of that year.

The academy initially enrolled more than 90 children aged between four and 17 and was established as a talent-development programme in football, basketball and karate.

The academy’s wider objective is to provide structured sporting opportunities for children while developing their technical abilities, discipline, character and prepare Rwanda’s next generation of athletes.

It currently describes its programme as a talent-development system for children aged four to 17, supported by experienced coaches.

Its development has also included international collaboration.

In 2023, SGI entered a partnership with Japan-based CHEZA to promote sports development, young-athlete training, sports personnel exchanges and collaboration between SGI-Sports Academy and GLORTS Academy in Japan.

Photos

The SGI founder and CEO Rurangayire Guy Didier hailed the successful completion of the two-month programme.

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